NDLEA Nabs Lagos Pastor for Ghana Cannabis Trafficking, Seizes 3.4 Tonnes of Drugs Nationwide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Lagos-based pastor for his alleged role in trafficking a large consignment of cannabis from Ghana, as part of a nationwide operation that led to the seizure of 3.4 tonnes of illicit drugs.

In a statement issued yesterday, NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the clergyman was apprehended following intelligence that linked him to the shipment of compressed cannabis concealed in food items for onward distribution in Nigeria. The suspect, whose name was withheld pending further investigation, was arrested at his residence in Lagos after operatives intercepted the consignment at a warehouse.

According to Babafemi, the cannabis originated from Ghana and was smuggled through Nigeria’s western border. “Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspect is part of a syndicate specialising in moving large-scale cannabis shipments into the country. The drugs were neatly packed to avoid detection but were uncovered through our advanced surveillance and tracking systems,” he said.

The NDLEA’s latest crackdown also included coordinated raids in multiple states, targeting traffickers and dealers involved in the distribution of cannabis, opioids, and synthetic drugs. Across these operations, a total of 3,400 kilogrammes of assorted drugs were recovered, with several suspects taken into custody.

In Ogun State, operatives intercepted a truck loaded with 1,050 kg of cannabis hidden beneath sacks of grain. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the haul. In Kano, officers raided a warehouse storing over 800 kg of tramadol and codeine-based syrup, arresting four persons believed to be linked to a distribution network.

Similarly, in Rivers State, NDLEA operatives dismantled a drug trafficking ring operating from Port Harcourt, seizing 500 kg of cannabis and arresting three suspects. In Kaduna, a vehicle carrying 450 kg of cannabis destined for the North-East was intercepted on the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

Babafemi noted that the agency’s intensified enforcement is part of its renewed strategy to choke off supply chains for illicit drugs while also targeting the financial networks that sustain such criminal enterprises. “The NDLEA is not just after the couriers but the financiers, coordinators, and international partners behind these operations,” he stated.

The case of the arrested pastor has generated particular attention, given the suspect’s position of trust within his community. NDLEA officials say the incident underscores the diverse backgrounds of those involved in drug trafficking, highlighting the need for vigilance regardless of social status.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the operatives for their success and warned traffickers that the agency will continue to pursue them relentlessly. He emphasised that no individual, group, or profession is above the law.

“Anyone who engages in the trafficking of illicit drugs will face the full weight of the law, regardless of their public image or position. We will not allow criminal elements to undermine our society and endanger the lives of our citizens,” Marwa said.

The NDLEA boss also appealed to religious and community leaders to work with the agency in its anti-drug campaign by discouraging youth involvement in trafficking and abuse.

The suspect pastor is currently in custody and is expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The NDLEA said it is also liaising with Ghanaian authorities to trace the origins of the cannabis shipment and identify other members of the cross-border syndicate.

With the 3.4 tonnes of drugs seized in this operation, the NDLEA reiterated its commitment to achieving its goal of significantly reducing drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria. The agency maintained that it will continue to leverage intelligence, inter-agency collaboration, and public cooperation to dismantle criminal networks nationwide.