The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully apprehended Mohammed Sani, also known as “Gamboli,” a notorious 33-year-old supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. His arrest on Thursday, December 11, came after a three-week manhunt, following his escape during a raid on his residence in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, on November 20, 2025. During that initial raid, NDLEA operatives recovered a significant haul of 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, from his property.

According to Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy, Gamboli's capture was a direct result of credible and processed intelligence. He was traced and arrested at one of his drug joints in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta. Intelligence reports had consistently identified Gamboli as a major link in the supply chain of illicit substances to armed bandit groups plaguing the region.

This significant arrest in Niger State coincided with a wide array of other successful anti-narcotics operations conducted by the NDLEA across various states within the same period, demonstrating a robust national offensive against drug trafficking and production.

In Abia State, operatives raided a clandestine codeine syrup-manufacturing factory located at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, in Osisioma Local Government Area. This operation led to the seizure of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing a total of 1,152.2 kilograms. Similarly, in Enugu State on December 11, two suspects were arrested: Ossai Emeka, 45, was nabbed along the Onitsha – Enugu Ezike road with 7.2 kilograms of skunk, while Enoje Agada, 40, was apprehended along the Enugu-Ezike -Ette road with 94.6 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance, bringing the total skunk seizure in Enugu to 101.8 kilograms.

Oyo State also saw notable successes, with a raid on a notorious drug joint known as “Beere the California” in Ido on December 11. This operation resulted in the seizure of 3.4 kilograms of skunk, 1.6 kilograms of Colorado (synthetic cannabis), and 400 grams of methamphetamine. While a suspect, Ajibade Faruk, was arrested at the joint, its alleged owner, identified as “Idowu the killer,” remains at large. Another operation in Idi Oro, Elekuro, Ibadan, on December 12, led to the arrest of Olusanya Abosede, 35, and the seizure of 238.4 kilograms of skunk.

Further operations across the country yielded substantial results. In Lagos State, at the Gbaji checkpoint on the Seme road Badagry, Bashiru Babalola, 43, and Ogunwale Ranti, 50, were arrested with 50,000 pills of tramadol 250mg. NDLEA operatives in Ogun State arrested Akinwale Makanjuola and Joseph Owolabi with 73 kilograms of skunk at Iperu, and Wasiu Lateef with 25 kilograms of skunk at Oke Agbede, Imeko. In Ondo State, a mother and son, Veronica Obi, 55, and Bright Obi, 29, were arrested in Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area, with a massive 1,187 kilograms of skunk and its seeds. Edo State operatives also arrested Ohiomah Igbafe, 44, at Uroe community, Owan East Local Government Area, recovering 461 kilograms of skunk and seeds.

Gombe State contributed to the agency's efforts with the arrest of Muhammed Sani (alias Sha-Mu-Sha), 50, who was found with 40,000 capsules of tramadol in the Tunfure area. Additionally, Muhammad Abdullahi (a.k.a Sakalala), 52, and Muhammed Hamza (a.k.a Mamman), 32, were nabbed at Ashaka Jalingo with 56 kilograms of skunk.

The NDLEA also intensified its efforts against international drug trafficking. At two major courier companies in Lagos, operatives intercepted and seized no fewer than 907 pills of various illicit substances, including tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline, and bromazepam. These drugs were cleverly concealed in containers of local black soap and designer wears, destined for the United States, Canada, and Sweden. Furthermore, at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on December 13, NDLEA officers, in a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, intercepted a colossal consignment of 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing an estimated 23,579 kilograms.

Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the officers and men from the various commands for their dedication, dexterity, and the significant arrests and seizures made. He reiterated the agency's commitment to a balanced approach in its drug control efforts, combining stringent enforcement with sustained War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns. These campaigns, aimed at fostering drug awareness and prevention, continue to be actively implemented in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities across the nation.