Kehinde Fajobi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two drug kingpins at Port Harcourt International Airport and Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for carrying a combined 125 wraps of heroin.
Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA spokesperson, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Sunday, revealing details about the suspects’ activities.
Onyekwonike Elochuckwu Sylvanus, 30, was apprehended at Port Harcourt airport on February 2, 2025, after attempting to enter Nigeria on a Sierra Leonean passport under the name Kargbo Mohamed Foday. He had arrived on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha via Abuja.
Babafemi stated, “He was intercepted during the inward clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha via Abuja.
“A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs, and under observation, he excreted 62 wraps of heroin weighing 1.348 kilograms in five sessions.”
Investigations revealed Sylvanus had used both his Nigerian and Sierra Leonean passports to smuggle drugs across Thailand, Pakistan, Iran, and West Africa. He admitted to turning to drug trafficking in 2017 after his clothing and shoe business failed.
James Chinoso, 48, was arrested at Lagos airport on February 1, 2025, after arriving from Madagascar via Ethiopia on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. A body scan confirmed he had ingested drugs, and he later excreted 63 wraps of heroin weighing 909 grams.
Babafemi said, “He claimed he turned to drug trafficking after his phone accessories business in Liberia collapsed.”
In separate operations on February 6, NDLEA operatives intercepted 2.82 kilograms of synthetic cannabis, “Loud,” smuggled from the United States, destined for Lagos. On the same day, 80 ampoules of pentazocine injection (225 grams) concealed in cartons were seized en route to Canada.
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In Kano, operatives arrested Usaini Salisu and Yahaya Mu’azu, both 23, on February 3, recovering 15,396 tramadol pills hidden in a gas cylinder. Another operation in Kano led to the arrest of Chioma Okeke, 35, with 27 blocks of skunk (15 kg of cannabis).
On February 8, NDLEA officers intercepted 12,800 tramadol pills along the Kabba-Obajana Highway in Kogi State, arresting 33-year-old Salisu Basiru. On the same day, 65 parcels of Colorado (1.6 kg of synthetic cannabis) were recovered from Rufai Hassan, 32, at a checkpoint.
The NDLEA has vowed to intensify its efforts to disrupt drug syndicates across the country.
