By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
HIGH STAKES intelligence led operations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate, leading to the interception of cocaine consignments concealed in tins of palm kernel extract bound for the United Kingdom (UK) and the arrest of the group’s kingpin in Lagos.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the operation began on Wednesday 11th March 2026 when operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command in Ikeja intercepted 3.10kg of cocaine at the airport export shed.
The illicit drug was hidden inside tins of palm kernel extract meant for shipment to the UK.
Officers arrested two suspects handling the consignment, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin. A follow up sting operation on Thursday 2nd April led to the arrest of the sender, Ezemuwo Joel, who operates under a false identity as Ajayi.
Investigations linked the suspect to the syndicate head, 52-year-old King Arinze, who was arrested at a hideout in the Isolo area of Lagos.
He was taken to a warehouse at 11 Ola Ifa Street Bucknor Isolo, where operatives recovered 886 tins of palm kernel extract prepared for drug concealment, sealing machines, tin openers, paint sprays, 52 grams of cannabis sativa and a pack of hand gloves. He confessed to draining the oil from the tins to conceal cocaine.
In Borno State, operatives on Wednesday 1st April arrested a 28 year old female suspect, Aisha Adamu, along Gamboru Ngala road with 4.3kg of Colorado.
At Gbaji checkpoint in Lagos, a pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ Agonvi Sea Beach Sakpo area of Seme border, Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, 45, and his wife, Mrs Success Hodonu, 35, were arrested on Thursday 2nd April. Officers recovered 11kg of skunk concealed in hidden compartments of their Honda Pilot SUV.
Their arrest followed the apprehension of Sunday Samuel, 35, described as a fake security agent, who was intercepted at the same checkpoint on Monday 30th March with 24.5kg of skunk.
In Adamawa State, operatives intercepted a trailer marked RUW 947 XA along Namtari road Yola South on Monday 30th March and recovered 48,000 tramadol pills. The driver, Abdulaziz Ismail Korede, was arrested while a follow up operation led to the arrest of the recipient, Idris Adamu.
Operatives arrested 60 year old Idiatu Oladejo with 15kg of skunk in Isale Osun Osogbo on Wednesday 1st April, while a raid in Itaogbolu forest Akure Ondo State led to the recovery of 351kg of skunk and seeds.
In Benue State, officers arrested 66-year-old Aminu Usman Gembu at Aliade on Wednesday 1st April with 28,600 capsules of tramadol.
In Edo State, a suspect Roland Owie, 37, was arrested on Monday 30th March after a raid at Egbanke community Orhionmwon LGA where 1,378kg of skunk were recovered.
A 40-year-old suspect Ayantola Omodunmomi also known as Iya Elle was arrested on Wednesday 1st April at Eleta area of Ibadan. Operatives recovered 45.6kg of skunk from her warehouse following surveillance on the use of her 11 year old daughter Anjola to deliver drugs.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that the agency also conducted War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation lectures in schools across Oyo, Lagos, Kano, Anambra and Zamfara States.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa Rtd, commended officers across commands for the arrests and seizures.
“These successful operations are a testament to the Agency’s evolving intelligence capabilities and our unwavering commitment to choking the supply lines of drug cartels. Whether they hide behind legitimate businesses, religious titles, or complex concealment methods, we will find them,” he stated.
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