Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a notorious drug trafficker, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, alongside three cargo agents, over an attempt to export cocaine to the United Kingdom concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch.
Ex-Convict, Three Others Arrested Over UK-Bound Cocaine Consignment
NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the seizure involved 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.5 kilograms, intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
The three cargo agents – Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane – were arrested on Saturday, Dec. 20, before further investigations revealed Basil, 37, as the mastermind.
He was apprehended the following day at a relaxation centre in Ikeja while on a date with his girlfriend.
Babafemi noted that Basil had previously been convicted in 2023 for trafficking 30.10kg of methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers bound for London.
He was sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a ₦7 million fine and one-month community service. Basil paid the fine but soon returned to the same crime.
In a series of coordinated operations across the country, NDLEA operatives also recorded significant seizures. In Ekiti State, tons of skunk cannabis were destroyed in Ara forest, with 638kg recovered.
In Edo State, patrol officers intercepted three Toyota Camry vehicles along Igara-Auchi road, seizing 1,205 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 883.1kg.
In Cross River State, raids in Agoi-Ibami community, Yakurr LGA, led to the arrest of three suspects with 908kg of skunk. On the Abuja expressway, a 42-year-old woman, Joy Oisamaye, was arrested with 38kg skunk en route from Edo State.
In Lagos, two suspects, Ajoke Dauda with 45.5kg and Oluwasegun Felix with 18.5kg, were arrested on Dec. 24 and 25 respectively. In Taraba State, two men, Emmanuel Danladi and John Onoja, were arrested with 48kg skunk.
In Gombe State, a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, was arrested with 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 27,900 tramadol pills along Gombe-Biu highway.
At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives, working with Customs and other security agencies, seized 56 parcels of Loud cannabis weighing 26kg during a joint container examination on Dec. 10.
A follow-up operation on Dec. 19 led to the arrest of Ignatius Egbochie, alias Brown, a 47-year-old businessman linked to the shipment.
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns nationwide.
Lectures and outreach programmes were held in schools, worship centres, and communities, including Destiny Child Academy in Anambra, women’s groups in Katsina, and youth gatherings in Kogi State.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers of MMIA, Lagos, Tincan, Seme, Ekiti, Edo, Cross River, FCT, Gombe, and Taraba Commands for their vigilance and professionalism.
He urged them to remain extra alert throughout the festive season and beyond, stressing that the Agency will continue to maintain the highest standards of professionalism in drug control efforts nationwide
