NDLEA Nabs Delta Drug Kingpin, Seizes ₦7.8bn Opioids at Onne Port

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing war against narcotics trafficking with the arrest of a notorious drug kingpin from Delta State and the seizure of opioids valued at ₦7.8 billion at the Onne Port in Rivers State.

According to NDLEA authorities, the suspect, identified as a high-profile trafficker with vast links to international drug cartels, was intercepted following months of painstaking intelligence gathering and surveillance. The operation, described as one of the most significant in recent years, highlights the growing menace of illicit drug smuggling into Nigeria and the agency’s determination to dismantle such networks.

In a statement issued on Friday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that the suspect, who has long been on the agency’s watchlist, was arrested after operatives swooped in during a coordinated raid at Onne Port. The drug consignment, comprising large volumes of tramadol and other banned opioid substances, was carefully concealed in cargo containers. Initial forensic analysis put the street value of the seized drugs at an estimated ₦7.8 billion, making it one of the largest single seizures in the region this year.

Babafemi explained that the intelligence-driven operation was the culmination of weeks of inter-agency collaboration involving customs officials and port security. He disclosed that the suspect, believed to have been using his business front to import illicit substances, had masterminded several failed attempts to bring in drugs through Nigerian seaports in the past. His eventual arrest, therefore, is considered a significant dent in the narcotics supply chain.

“Working with our partners, NDLEA operatives were able to intercept this dangerous shipment before it found its way into our communities,” Babafemi stated. “This operation not only disrupted a major drug trafficking syndicate but also prevented millions of doses of harmful opioids from reaching our youth population.”

The NDLEA added that preliminary investigations revealed the kingpin’s operations spanned several West African countries, with established networks in Europe and Asia. His syndicate reportedly exploited the high volume of commercial imports passing through the ports to smuggle narcotics undetected. However, the deployment of advanced tracking systems, combined with heightened surveillance, eventually exposed the operation.

Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the operatives involved, describing the bust as a clear message to drug traffickers that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for their illicit trade. He assured Nigerians that the agency will continue to intensify its offensive against both the supply and demand sides of drug abuse in the country.

“This arrest and seizure reaffirm NDLEA’s resolve to protect Nigerians from the dangers of drugs. We will continue to work tirelessly to identify, track, and dismantle drug cartels operating within and outside our borders. Those who profit from destroying lives through drug trafficking should know that the agency is closing in on them,” Marwa declared.

The arrest of the Delta drug baron is also expected to have ripple effects across the underworld drug market. Security analysts believe the seizure will cause temporary shortages in illicit drug supply and raise the cost of opioids in black markets. However, they also warned that such syndicates often attempt to re-strategize quickly, making it imperative for law enforcement to remain vigilant.

Marwa also highlighted the importance of public support in the fight against drugs, urging Nigerians to provide timely information about suspicious activities in their communities. He stressed that combating drug trafficking requires the cooperation of citizens, government agencies, and international partners.

The latest seizure at Onne Port adds to NDLEA’s growing record of intercepting illicit drugs at Nigeria’s seaports. In recent years, the agency has uncovered multiple shipments concealed in legitimate cargo such as vehicles, machinery, and food products. The ₦7.8 billion haul underscores the sophistication of traffickers but also highlights NDLEA’s enhanced capacity to detect and neutralise such threats.

Stakeholders in the maritime and security sectors have lauded the operation, describing it as proof of the importance of intelligence-led policing. They called for continuous investment in modern port surveillance systems, better inter-agency collaboration, and tougher penalties for traffickers and their collaborators.

Experts also warned about the rising abuse of tramadol and opioids among Nigerian youths, pointing out the severe health and social consequences of addiction. Public health advocates argue that alongside enforcement, there must be expanded drug education and rehabilitation programs to address the demand side of the problem.

As the suspect remains in custody, NDLEA officials have confirmed that further investigations are ongoing to unravel his network, collaborators, and financiers. The agency hinted that more arrests may follow in the coming weeks, as it works to dismantle the entire cartel behind the smuggling attempt.

In conclusion, the NDLEA’s seizure of ₦7.8 billion worth of opioids and the arrest of a Delta drug kingpin mark a decisive step forward in Nigeria’s fight against narcotics. It demonstrates the agency’s growing sophistication in intelligence gathering, its ability to collaborate effectively with port authorities, and its determination to safeguard Nigerian society from the scourge of drug abuse.