Ex-Convict, 3 Others Arrested Over UK-bound Cocaine Consignment

A notorious drug trafficker, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, who was previously convicted of dealing in 30.10kg of methamphetamine in 2023, has again been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Basil’s arrest followed the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch heading to the United Kingdom at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this on Sunday, added that three cargo agents involved in the attempt to export the consignment to the UK were swiftly arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025, before further investigations unravelled 37-year-old Basil as the mastermind.

Babafemi identified the three agents as Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun and Igwe Chioma Jane.

He stated that Basil was arrested in a follow-up operation on Sunday, December 21, at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja, where he had gone on a date with his girlfriend.

According to the statement, the Agency’s criminal database revealed that Basil had been arrested in May 2023 in connection with the seizure of 30.10kg of methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers as part of a consolidated cargo going to London, United Kingdom, at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

He was subsequently arraigned at a Federal High Court in charge number FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted, and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N7 million, along with one month of community service, effective from December 4, 2023.

The NDLEA spokesman disclosed that the ex-convict paid the fine and soon after, returned to the same crime.

‎In another successful operation, NDLEA operatives on Monday, December 22, set ablaze tons of skunk, a strain of cannabis and wooden warehouses in Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti of Ekiti State, where 638 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance were also recovered.

Also, no fewer than 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing 883.1kg, were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles intercepted by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Igara-Auchi road, Edo State, on Monday, December 22.

In Cross River State, raid operations conducted on Sunday, December 21, at Agoi-Ibami community in Yakurr Local Government Area led to the arrest of three suspects and seizure of various quantities of skunk.

The suspects include a 27-year-old, Freedom Jonah Akpama, with 671kg of skunk; David Itam David, 30, with 89 kg; and Nelson Arikpo Osam, 26, with 148kg.

In another operation, a 42-year-old lady, Joy Oisamaye, was arrested with 38kg of skunk by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abaji- Abuja expressway on Monday, December 22, on her way from Otua in Owan East LGA, Edo State.

Similarly, NDLEA operatives in Lagos arrested a female suspect, Ajoke Dauda, with 45.5kg of skunk on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, at Agbara, along Badagry Expressway.

Another suspect, Oluwasegun Felix, was apprehended with 18.5kg of the same substance at Itoga, Badagry, on Wednesday, December 24.

In the Takum area of Taraba State, two other suspects, Emmanuel Danladi, 39, and John Onoja, 41, were nabbed with 48kg of the same substance on Wednesday and Tuesday, December 24 and 23, 2025, respectively.

In Gombe state, a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, was arrested while conveying 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 27,900 pills of tramadol, and other opioids, along the Gombe-Biu highway, heading to Biu in Borno State.

Meanwhile, a 47-year-old businessman, Ignatius Egbochie (alias Brown), wanted in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 26kg at the Tincan seaport in Lagos, has been arrested by NDLEA operatives.

The illicit drug consignment was seized on December 10 during a joint examination of a container by the NDLEA, Nigerian Customs and other security agencies.

A follow-up operation by NDLEA operatives on December 19 led to the arrest of Ignatius in Apapa.