The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully arrested Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze, an automobile spare parts dealer, after a three-week manhunt following his attempt to smuggle two kilograms of cocaine hidden in vehicle propellers to Angola.
The agency made the seizure on February 21, 2025, at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos. Coordination with Angolan authorities led to the arrest of the intended recipient, which subsequently unraveled Ubodoeze’s identity.
Director of Media & Advocacy Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday explained that on March 6, NDLEA operatives tracked Ubodoeze to his residence in the Ago Palace Way area of Isolo, Lagos, where he was caught trying to flee in a Kia SUV.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 75.50 kilograms of phenacetin, a known cocaine-cutting agent, disguised as semolina, along with a digital scale for measuring illicit drugs. During interrogation, Ubodoeze admitted to drug trafficking while operating his auto spare parts business at Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos.
In a separate operation he indicated that NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) import shed intercepted a cargo of cannabis-infused candies imported from the United Kingdom and destined for a kiddies’ mart at 46 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos. The shipment, which arrived on February 27, tested positive for a potent strain of cannabis.
The recipient, Adedamola Taylor, was arrested on March 4 following the initial detention of a freight agent. Taylor claimed his UK-based brother, Babatunde Alabi, sent the package for delivery to Musurat Lawal, who runs the targeted store. Lawal was subsequently apprehended during a follow-up operation.
Additionally, NDLEA officers seized 248 compressed blocks of Ghanaian Loud cannabis, weighing 128 kilograms, from a commercial truck intercepted at Shibiri, Ojo, Lagos. Two suspects, China Michael and Igbo Ekene, were arrested in connection with the trafficking attempt on March 7.
Further arrests were made at Mosalasi Junction, Mushin, where operatives apprehended Osinachi Nwachukwu, Tochukwu Okafor Christian, and John Ugochukwu Mbakwe with a haul of 301,600 tramadol pills and other opioids on March 7.
Operations in other states also yielded significant results as one 65-year-old Yahaya Haruna was caught with 19.2 kilograms of skunk on March 6, while Musa Bello (alias Jajere), 60, was arrested with 212 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Medile, Kumbotso LGA in Kano
The statement indicated that a raid on March 4 at 19 Ubani Street, Aba, in Abia State led to the confiscation of 442,594 tramadol pills, other opioids, and 1,274 bottles of codeine syrup from the house and warehouse of 37-year-old suspect Blessing Okoronkwo.
Babafemi said on March 5, NDLEA intercepted a vehicle at Ugbema Junction, Katsina Ala, recovering 50,000 tramadol and exol-5 pills from two suspects, Nwaeze Onyeabor, 47, and Tombo Thomas, 23.
A March 4 raid led to the arrest of Asimiyu Muibi, 50, in Modakeke, Ife East, with 162 kilograms of skunk, while another 95 kilograms were seized from a Toyota Camry in Ede.
A massive NDLEA operation in Amahor community forest, Igueben, resulted in the arrest of Etim Esien Stephen, 55, and the destruction of 9,514.625 kilograms of skunk on 3.8 hectares of farmland.
Alongside enforcement actions, NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative continued with sensitization programs in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities nationwide. Recent outreach efforts include lectures at Model High School, Amaechi, Enugu; Bengy Secondary School, Agege, Lagos; Sunshine Secondary School, Nku Udo Eno, Akwa Ibom; and Government Day Secondary School, Dong, Adamawa.
Commending the operatives across MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Abia, Benue, Osun, and Edo, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised their operational successes in curbing drug trafficking and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling drug-related crimes nationwide.