By Correspondent in Abuja.
(C) Google.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has re-arrested a notorious drug trafficker, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, barely a year after his conviction for trafficking in methamphetamine, following the interception of cocaine shipments bound for the United Kingdom.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that Basil was apprehended alongside three cargo agents after NDLEA operatives uncovered 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilogrammes, ingeniously concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to him, the three cargo agents,Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane,were arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025, while attempting to export the illicit consignment to the UK.
According to him,further investigations later exposed 37-year-old Basil as the mastermind behind the operation, adding that Basil was subsequently arrested on Sunday, December 21, at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja, where he had gone on a date with his girlfriend.
Babafemi revealed that checks on the agency’s criminal database showed that Basil had previously been arrested in May 2023 over the seizure of 30.10kg of methamphetamine, concealed in powdered custard containers and destined for London.
Babafemi recalled the suspect was later arraigned before the Federal High Court in Charge No: FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted, and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with an option of a ₦7 million fine, alongside one month of community service, effective from December 4, 2023. After paying the fine, he reportedly returned to the same criminal activity.
In other operations across the country, NDLEA operatives on Monday, December 22, set ablaze tons of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, and dismantled wooden warehouses in Ara Forest, Ara-Ekiti, where 638kg of the substance was recovered.
The agency also intercepted 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing 883.1kg, from three Toyota Camry vehicles along the Igara–Auchi Road in Edo State on the same day, according to him.
Similarly, a raid conducted on Sunday, December 21, at Agoi-Ibami community, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, led to the arrest of three suspects—Freedom Jonah Akpama (27) with 671kg, David Itam David (30) with 89kg, and Nelson Arikpo Osam (26) with 148kg of skunk.
In another development, a 42-year-old woman, Joy Oisamaye, was arrested with 38kg of skunk along the Abaji–Abuja Expressway on Monday, December 22, while travelling from Otua in Owan East LGA of Edo State.
In Gombe State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, along the Gombe–Biu Highway, with 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 27,900 tramadol pills, and other opioids, allegedly en route to Biu in Borno State.
The agency also confirmed the arrest of a 47-year-old businessman, Ignatius Egbochie, also known as Brown, who had been on the wanted list in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of “Loud” cannabis, weighing 26kg, at the Tincan Seaport, Lagos, on December 10. A follow-up operation led to his arrest in Apapa on December 19.
Commending the efforts of his officers, the Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged operatives to remain highly vigilant during the festive season and beyond, while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in all drug control operations.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
