NDLEA Nabs Suspected Bandits’ Drug Supplier In Niger
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Mohammed Sani, also known as Gamboli, a suspected supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, and intercepted several drug consignments concealed in local black soap and other items.
The suspect was arrested on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, three weeks after he escaped arrest during a raid on his residence in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, Niger State.
NDLEA operatives had earlier, on November 20, raided his house and recovered 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the suspect fled during the initial operation but was later tracked to his hideout through intelligence-led efforts.
He said intelligence reports linked Sani to the supply of illicit drugs to bandits terrorising communities in the area.
Babafemi said, “Three weeks after escaping arrest at his home in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, a notorious supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in the area, 33-year-old Mohammed Sani, alias Gamboli, has been arrested by NDLEA operatives at his hideout.
“Following credible intelligence about the illicit drug activities of Gamboli, NDLEA operatives on November 20, 2025, raided his house at Anguwan Makera, Kuta, where they recovered 471.8 kilograms of skunk.
“On December 11, NDLEA officers, acting on processed intelligence, traced and arrested him at one of his drug joints in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta.
“Intelligence reports had indicated that Gamboli is a major supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Shiroro Local Government Area.”
Babafemi also disclosed that operatives intercepted 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer wear.
He said the drugs were found in six consignments bound for the United States, Canada and Sweden.
“No fewer than 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer wear, in six different consignments going to the US, Canada and Sweden, were intercepted and seized by NDLEA operatives at two major courier companies in Lagos between Tuesday, December 9, and Wednesday, December 10, 2025,” he said.
In Abia State, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives, on December 11, raided a clandestine codeine syrup manufacturing factory at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, Osisioma Local Government Area.
He said 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 1,152.2 kilograms were recovered during the operation.
In Enugu State, NDLEA operatives arrested Ossai Emeka, 45, along the Onitsha–Enugu Ezike Road with 7.2 kilograms of skunk.
He said another suspect, Enoje Agada, 40, was arrested along the Enugu Ezike–Ette Road with 94.6 kilograms of the same substance.
In Oyo State, Babafemi said a raid on a drug joint known as “Beere the California” at Ido, Ibadan, on December 11 led to the seizure of 3.4 kilograms of skunk, 1.6 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, and 400 grams of methamphetamine.
He said the owner of the drug joint, identified as Idowu, also known as “Idowu the killer,” is currently at large, while a suspect, Ajibade Faruk, was arrested at the scene.
“Another operation at Idi Oro, Elekuro, Ibadan, on Friday, December 12, led to the arrest of Olusanya Abosede, 35, and the seizure of 238.4 kilograms of skunk,” Babafemi said.
He added that Bashiru Babalola, 43, and Ugunwale Ranti, 50, were arrested on Wednesday, December 10, at the Gbaji checkpoint, Seme Road, Badagry, Lagos, with 50,000 pills of tramadol.
In Ondo State, NDLEA officers raided a compound in Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area.
He said a 55-year-old woman, Veronica Obi, and her 29-year-old son, Bright Obi, were arrested with 1,187 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds.
In Edo State, Babafemi said Ohiomah Igbafe, 44, was arrested at Uroe community in Owan East Local Government Area with 461 kilograms of skunk and its seeds.
“In Gombe State, a suspect, Muhammed Sani, alias Sha-Mu-Sha, 50, was arrested with 40,000 capsules of tramadol at the Tunfure area of Gombe,” he said.
He added that two other suspects, Muhammad Abdullahi, alias Sakalala, 52, and Muhammed Hamza, alias Mamman, 32, were arrested at Ashaka Jalingo with 56 kilograms of skunk on Monday, December 8.
At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers, on December 13, intercepted a container carrying 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23,579 kilograms.
He said the seizure was made during a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
Commending the officers involved, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control efforts.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
