The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 25.05 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed in packs of assorted breakfast cereals imported from South Africa through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, arresting a 56-year-old suspect who has lived in the country for over two decades using a stolen identity.
The suspect, identified as Omokan Isaac Babatope, whose real name is Chinedu Onwude, was arrested on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the arrival hall of Terminal II of the airport following his return from South Africa.
A search of his two travelling boxes led to the discovery of 25 parcels of a white crystalline substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 25.05kg.
The Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement made on Sunday, adding that the suspect had been resident in South Africa for over 24 years and held both Nigerian and South African passports.
According to the statement, the parcels were concealed inside packs of assorted breakfast cereals and cereal-based food products in an attempt to evade security screening.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to adopting the name Omokan Isaac Babatope after using forged documents to gain entry into South Africa, adding that he had continued to use the identity ever since.
He also reportedly told investigators that a South Africa-based man, identified as Obiora Okoye, contracted him to deliver the consignment in Nigeria for a fee of 20,000 South African rand.
The airport interception formed part of a series of operations by NDLEA operatives, which also led to the seizure of large quantities of illicit substances across various states.
In Lagos, operatives arrested a 33-year-old man, Taiwo Adebayo Aderoju, at Ebute Metta on Tuesday, November 10, recovering 119.71kg of cannabis from him.
A joint operation in the Ajah area on Saturday, November 14, also resulted in the recovery of 78.8kg of cannabis, 2.5 litres of skuchies, 6.8 litres of codeine syrup, 23 grammes of Rohypnol, 478 grammes of tramadol, 10.6kg of nitrous oxide and 714 grammes of pregabalin from an abandoned silver Toyota Sienna. The suspect reportedly fled upon sighting the operatives.
In Ondo State, two suspects, Victor William, 42, and Akeem Azeez, 27, were arrested at Olabi village bush on Tuesday, November 10, after they allegedly brought out bags of cannabis for sale. They subsequently led operatives to a storage facility where 50 bags of the substance, weighing 560kg, were recovered.
Another operation at a cannabis farm in Ipele forest on Friday, November 13, led to the arrest of three suspects: Godwin Benson, 30; Muhammed Awwal, 34; and James Timothy, 18. A total of 122kg of cannabis was recovered.
In Delta State, operatives arrested a 43-year-old woman, Esther Igba, at Alihame, Agbor, in Ika South Local Government Area on Thursday, November 12, with 255.670kg of cannabis and 1.5kg of cannabis seeds.
Earlier, on Tuesday, November 10, 25-year-old Aaron Thomas, also known as Ibori, was arrested at Oguato, Ughelli South Local Government Area, after being trailed for over six months. The suspect, described by the agency as a major illicit drug distributor who operated a notorious bush bar, was found with cannabis, codeine syrup, different strengths of tramadol, swinol and Molly (MDMA).
In Osun State, two suspects, Eze Chidiebere, 23, and Nwaoge Ugochukwu, 24, were arrested with 86kg of cannabis during an operation to destroy cannabis farms at Owena Forest Reserve.
A separate operation in the same forest reserve led to the arrest of 40-year-old Ugwu Chukwuemeka with 28kg of dried cannabis and 21kg of fresh cannabis leaves. His 0.855-hectare cannabis farm, estimated to contain 2,137.5kg of the plant, was also destroyed.
In Edo State, operatives on Tuesday, November 10, raided Jamila Street, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, following weeks of surveillance and arrested a 39-year-old woman, Blessing Chukwudi. Recovered from her were 22 compressed parcels of Loud weighing 14kg, 65 grammes of Colorado and 73 grammes of methamphetamine.
The agency also reported continued War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities across the country during the week.
Commending officers and men of the agency for the operations, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the interception of methamphetamine concealed in breakfast cereals demonstrated that no concealment method could defeat the vigilance and determination of the agency’s operatives.
He urged officers across the commands to sustain efforts in both drug supply reduction and demand reduction.
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