Lekki Businessman Nabbed in NDLEA Sting: 60 Parcels of U.S.-Imported Cannabis Seized

 

In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, a prominent businessman and owner of Damillionz Takeout in Lekki, Lagos. Ebenezer, 43, was arrested on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Bay Lounge on Admiralty Way, Lekki, where he allegedly operated his illicit drug trade. His capture coincided with his attempt to receive a fresh shipment of narcotics.

According to NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the arrest was the culmination of an investigation triggered by the interception of seven large cartons of cannabis. These parcels, which arrived in Lagos on March 12, contained a highly potent strain of cannabis known as Loud, smuggled from the United States. NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation seized the cargo at a logistics company before tracking it back to Ebenezer.

Following his arrest, the suspect was taken to his residence in Lekki, where officers uncovered additional evidence, including 94 grams of cannabis, a cannabis grinder, and other drug-related paraphernalia. The total weight of drugs seized from him stood at a staggering 32.24 kilograms. During interrogations, Ebenezer reportedly confessed that he had been engaged in the drug trade since 2017.

Expanding the Crackdown: Multiple Arrests Across the Country

Ebenezer's arrest is part of a broader NDLEA operation targeting drug syndicates across Nigeria. Another high-profile bust occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, where NDLEA officers thwarted an attempt by businessman Omoruyi Terry to smuggle 1,400 pills of tramadol (225mg) to Italy. The pills, weighing 800 grams, were discovered during a routine security check at the screening point of Terminal 2. Investigations revealed that Terry, a frequent traveler and logistics agent, had likely been involved in previous drug smuggling operations.

Further, in Katsina State, NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-driven raid at Godai village in Daura Local Government Area on Friday, March 28. Four suspects—Baraka Abubakar (40), Haruna Alitine (23), Muhammad Babangida (20), and Hamisu Lawal—were apprehended. Authorities seized a massive haul of 684 blocks of compressed skunk, weighing 423 kilograms, alongside 86,000 diazepam pills. Three of the suspects were caught repackaging the pills, while Abubakar, the sole female suspect, was arrested after officers discovered large quantities of skunk hidden in her home.

Drug Farms and Hidden Stashes Destroyed in Edo, Niger, and Enugu

NDLEA also ramped up its offensive against cannabis cultivation, destroying no fewer than 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa in multiple forests across Edo State. The eradication, which took place between March 24 and March 28, targeted plantations in Uhen Forest (Ovia North East LGA), Sobe (Owan West LGA), and Amahor Forest (Igueben LGA). In addition, 158 kilograms of processed cannabis were seized for further investigations.

The crackdown extended to Niger State, where a black Toyota Corolla marked SLM 137 SV was intercepted along the Mokwa-Jebba highway on March 28. Upon inspection, officers discovered 179 blocks of compressed skunk (77.6 kilograms) hidden in a false bottom within the vehicle. The two suspects, Paul Christopher (46) and Lucky Star Anumie, were immediately taken into custody. Meanwhile, another 50-kilogram stash of skunk was recovered from the home of a fugitive, Isa Iliya, in Wawa village, Borgu council area.

In Enugu, NDLEA operatives raided lockup shops at Aria New Market on March 25, seizing 108.5 kilograms of cannabis. A separate operation in Kwara State led to the arrest of Abdulrazak Saka in Kilako Area, Ilorin, with 25 kilograms of cannabis.

Ongoing Efforts to Disrupt the Drug Trade

The crackdown continued in Oyo State, where NDLEA officers arrested Suli Saheed (50) in Olomi Academy, Ibadan. Authorities seized 2.5 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud and 515 grams of Colorado, another high-potency cannabis strain.

These arrests and seizures highlight NDLEA’s relentless fight against the drug trade, as traffickers continue to devise new methods to distribute illicit substances across the country. With multiple arrests and major consignments intercepted, the agency has once again demonstrated its commitment to dismantling Nigeria’s drug networks.

As NDLEA intensifies its operations, more arrests and seizures are expected, sending a strong warning to drug syndicates operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.