148.3kg synthetic cannabis seized;
arrests accomplices and elderly traffickers
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Yussuf Abayomi Azeez, 40, a wanted drug lord, at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, while attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. Azeez, previously charged in the UK but having jumped bail, set up a clandestine laboratory in Lekki for the production of Colorado, a deadly synthetic cannabis, and other illicit drugs.
NDLEA operatives apprehended him on Thursday, November 6, alongside Abideen Kekere-Ekun, 43, dismantling the lab and seizing 148.3 kilograms of Colorado and precursor chemicals. In a related operation at Lagos’ Sifax bonded terminal, the agency, with Customs, recovered 105.5kg of Molly and 500 grams of methamphetamine.
Other seizures included 87,000 tramadol pills and 72kg of skunk in Niger State, 34,520 tramadol capsules en route to Cameroon from Taraba, 15,020 tramadol capsules in Taraba, 7.6kg of Loud cannabis and 175,000 opioid pills in Kogi State, and 769kg of skunk at Abuja/Kaduna tollgate bound for Kano, leading to the arrests of multiple suspects.
Elderly offenders were also caught: James Ugbedo, 73, was arrested in Edo State at a cannabis plantation where 1,459.75kg of skunk were destroyed, and Comfort Odudu, 70, was nabbed in Bayelsa with 5kg of skunk.
According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, these operations are part of the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), which includes sensitization campaigns in schools, workplaces, and communities across Nigeria. Recent activities targeted schools in Ebonyi, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, Adamawa, and NURTW members in Kebbi State.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), lauded the operatives, noting:
“The dismantling of this laboratory and the arrest of its kingpin, coming barely a week after similar actions against another cartel in Ajao Estate, Lagos, is the first of many strikes against merchants of death. Those still hiding should know the NDLEA, supported by local and international partners, will continue to hunt them and bring them to justice.”
