NDLEA Arrests Ex-Lagos Councillor, Intercepts Drugs In Diapers, Explosives [Photos]
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a former councillor in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Sheleru Sadiq Olalekan, following the recovery of illicit drugs from his residence.
The arrest formed part of a series of nationwide operations by the anti-narcotics agency, which also led to the interception of drugs concealed in baby diapers and the recovery of hundreds of improvised explosive device components in different states.
Papers News reports that this was made known in a statement on Sunday by the NDLEA Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi
The 45-year-old suspect, who previously served two terms as councillor representing Orimedu community, was arrested on March 2, 2026, at his residence in Ilado, Ibeju-Lekki.
During a search of the property, NDLEA operatives recovered 40 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, from one of the rooms in the house.
According to the agency, the suspect, who currently works as a legislative aide, admitted ownership of both the drugs and the property where the substance was recovered.
In Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA officers intercepted a 32-year-old businessman, Emeka Hyginus Okwor, on March 3.
The suspect was arrested in a vehicle travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba in Abuja.
A search of his luggage revealed 1,000 pills of tapentadol (250mg) hidden inside baby diapers.
The suspect reportedly confessed that the drugs were meant for delivery to Guduwa village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, where he operates a provision store.
On the same day, NDLEA operatives along the Kabba–Obajana highway in Kogi State intercepted Mey Ali Muhamat, a 36-year-old Cameroonian national.
The suspect, who hails from Maroua in the Republic of Cameroon, was found with 1.55 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis.
The drugs were concealed inside a standing fan carton.
Muhamat was travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Cameroon through Lokoja, Kano and Maiduguri.
In Niger State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial bus along the Mokwa–Jebba road carrying 500 pieces of improvised explosive device (IED) components.
The items were concealed in a white sack and were allegedly meant to be delivered to a recipient in Pelegi community.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the suspected recipient, Osama Abdullahi, 21, in Mashegu Local Government Area.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck transporting 2,000 cartons of local drinks.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 122,000 pills of tramadol and 700 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside a false compartment.
Further operations by the agency led to additional arrests and seizures across several states:
In Kano State, Muhammed Ali, 20, was arrested with 11,283 pills of tramadol.
In Ogun State, two suspects — Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa — were arrested in Ogere with 46kg of skunk.
In Delta State, Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22, were arrested in Ogwashi-Uku with 18.63kg of skunk, 10.8 litres of codeine syrup, and 4,268 pills of tramadol and swinol.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 1,910.25kg of skunk found on two farms in Egbisi forest, Uhunmwonde LGA, while suspects Eke London, 48, and Austin Isusi, 49, were arrested.
Another suspect, Alaba Adeboye, 47, was arrested in Ikhin town, Owan East LGA, with 176.5kg of skunk.
Beyond enforcement operations, the agency also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across schools and communities nationwide.
The programme included awareness lectures delivered to students and staff of several schools across states including Oyo, Niger, Zamfara, Lagos, Sokoto, Ebonyi and Anambra.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers in the Lagos, FCT, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Edo, Ogun, Delta and Adamawa commands for the successful operations.
Marwa urged personnel of the agency across the country to remain committed to the balanced strategy of enforcement and public education in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
Papers News reports that the agency was recently in the news when a court discharged and acquitted suspended Police DCP Abba Kyari after NDLEA failed to prove false asset declaration charges against him.
See photos below from NDLEA’s nationwide operation:
