The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a shipment of illicit drugs hidden inside water purifier machines imported from the Netherlands, as the agency intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.
According to the NDLEA, the consignment was intercepted at a courier facility in Lagos on May 26, 2026. Operatives discovered three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, carefully concealed inside the water purification machines in an attempt to evade security screening.
The agency disclosed the development in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.
In a separate operation in Kaduna State, NDLEA officers arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, along with a third suspect, Salomi Ezekiel, following the discovery of a large cache of illicit drugs in the Gonin Gora area.
The suspects were apprehended on May 24 after operatives raided their residence and recovered 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing a total of 1,246 kilograms.
The agency described the seizure as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking and storage networks operating across the country.
Also in Kaduna, NDLEA personnel on patrol along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway intercepted a 30-year-old suspect, Sunusi Musa, at Jere.
A search reportedly uncovered 380 rounds of military-grade 7.62mm ammunition allegedly being transported to Katsina State. The agency stated that the suspect and the recovered ammunition had been handed over to the appropriate security authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
In Niger State, operatives acting on intelligence stormed a warehouse located in Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, where they recovered 457 kilograms of skunk.
Following the operation conducted on May 27, officers arrested 46-year-old Godwin Zakka at his residence in Gbeganu, Minna, in connection with the illicit drugs.
The agency said investigations were ongoing to identify other individuals linked to the drug distribution network.
Meanwhile, along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial vehicle with registration number JAY-158-YF that was reportedly heading to Taraba State.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 22,000 tramadol tablets, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam.
The driver, identified as James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested and is assisting investigators.
Beyond enforcement activities, the NDLEA said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across schools, religious centres, workplaces and communities nationwide.
Awareness programmes were held at Government Secondary School, Adiabo in Cross River State; St. Patrick’s Memorial College, Wukari in Taraba State; Roman Catholic Mission Nursery and Primary School, Ibeju Lekki in Lagos State; and Kings Secondary School, Amawbia in Anambra State.
The agency said the initiative is aimed at reducing drug abuse through education and public enlightenment while maintaining pressure on traffickers and drug dealers.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers of the Kaduna, Niger and Enugu commands, as well as personnel of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, for their successful operations.
He praised their commitment to both drug enforcement and public awareness campaigns, urging them to remain vigilant and sustain the momentum in the fight against illicit drugs across the country.
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