The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced a major interception at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos, where a cargo containing illicit substances was seized on 13 November 2025. The shipment, which arrived on a Tag‑Angola flight from South Africa under airway bill number 118‑1288****, was identified through a tip‑off and subsequently flagged for inspection.
Investigators discovered that the drugs were concealed inside industrial‑grade pressure‑machine cylinders and within various automotive components, a method designed to evade routine screening. The haul included 5.40 kilograms of methamphetamine, 10.70 kilograms of a high‑potency cannabis strain commonly referred to as “Loud,” 16 grams of cocaine, as well as smaller quantities of phenacetin, methcathinone, and caffeine, all carefully packaged to avoid detection.
Following the airport seizure, NDLEA officers traced the consignment to a logistics hub in Onitsha, Anambra State. A controlled delivery was conducted on 18 November, during which 30‑year‑old electrical‑appliance dealer Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu arrived to collect the package and was promptly arrested. Shortly thereafter, 51‑year‑old Christopher Michael Ndibuisi, a recent returnee from South Africa and alleged member of the trafficking network, also appeared at the scene and was taken into custody.
Agency spokesperson Femi Babafemi explained that the operation exemplified a coordinated, intelligence‑driven effort aimed at dismantling a cross‑border drug syndicate operating between South Africa and Nigeria. He emphasized that the successful interception underscores NDLEA’s commitment to disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics into the country and to bringing those responsible to justice.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to gather evidence and pursue additional leads. The NDLEA has warned that traffickers may intensify their activities, especially with the approaching festive season, and has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. This seizure highlights the importance of collaboration between law‑enforcement agencies and the community in combating drug trafficking.
