NDLEA uncovers foreign drug cartels using Nigeria as transit hub

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised the alarm over the growing involvement of foreign nationals in international drug trafficking through Nigeria, following the arrest of three South Africans and the recovery of large consignments of heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis.

The agency said preliminary findings indicated that some foreign nationals were increasingly facilitating the movement of illicit drugs through Nigeria to other countries, while others were bringing the substances into the country.

The Assistant Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Francis Okogun, disclosed this on Thursday during a joint security briefing in Abuja.

He said the three South Africans were arrested in separate operations, with significant quantities of illicit drugs recovered from them.

“Our findings indicate that some foreign nationals are increasingly becoming involved in facilitating the movement of illicit drugs through Nigeria to other parts of the world.

“Some are also involved in bringing such substances into the country. For the period under review, three individuals were arrested.

“What makes these arrests particularly significant is the large quantities of drugs recovered, including heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis popularly known as Loud. These individuals are suspected of working on behalf of international drug cartels,” he said.

Okogun said investigations were ongoing to establish the destinations of the drugs and identify the international cartels behind the shipments.

He explained that uncovering the sponsors and intended destinations of illicit drug consignments remained difficult because suspects rarely volunteered such information.

“We are therefore conducting painstaking investigations to establish the actual destinations of the drugs and identify the cartels responsible for the shipments,” he added.

The agency’s disclosure comes amid separate arrests of South African nationals at Nigerian international airports over alleged drug trafficking.

In October 2026, NDLEA operatives arrested a South African woman, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, at the Port Harcourt International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 32.74 kilogrammes of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Thai Loud.

Earlier, on July 6, 2026, another South African, 38-year-old Will Jessica Ann, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin were allegedly discovered concealed in 14 blocks inside her luggage.

She was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Abuja.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa, has declared a renewed war against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State, calling for stronger collaboration among security agencies, religious institutions, schools and communities.

Marwa made the declaration on Thursday during an interactive stakeholder engagement in Benin, themed, ‘Addressing the Drug Problem in Edo State.’

Representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, National Youth Service Corps, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and community leaders attended the meeting.

The NDLEA boss said the fight against illicit drugs required collective action beyond the enforcement agency.

“I am here personally to declare war against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State. Though the NDLEA is the lead agency in the country for the enforcement of drug laws, we cannot do it alone,” he said.

NDLEA arrests two Nigerians with 200 cocaine wraps at Abuja airport

Marwa urged parents and guardians to monitor their children, set good examples and seek early intervention when they noticed signs of drug abuse.

He also called on religious organisations to use their platforms to educate their members and mobilise communities against illicit drugs.

According to him, he would engage the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Islamic council in Benin to strengthen their involvement in the campaign.

He further urged schools to establish drug-free and counselling clubs, encouraging students to report to teachers and school authorities whenever they were offered illicit substances.

Earlier, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the fight against drug abuse and trafficking could not succeed without cooperation among security agencies.

He commended sister security agencies for their support, noting that arrests and drug seizures recorded by the command over the years would not have been possible without their collaboration.