Operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a major raid on an 80-room hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, suspected of serving as a front for drug trafficking.
During the operation on April 25–26, 2025, agents discovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain weighing 417.3 kilograms, valued at over ₦1.04 billion. Three individuals—Eze Ayitu, Ofuokwu Samuel, and Emmanuel Ameh—were apprehended, while two others, Noble Philip and Kenneth, remain at large.
The five-story hotel, identified as The Hook Hotel (also Caesar Hotel/Caesar Lounge) at 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, off Elsie Femi Pearse Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, yielded additional assets believed to be drug trade proceeds. These included six vehicles: a Toyota Prado, a Land Cruiser Jeep (Lagos AKD 472 OZ), a Toyota Sienna Vehicle (Lagos KJA 79 HJ), a Volkswagen Delivery Van (Lagos AAA 525 JE), a Kia Ceranto Car (Lagos BDG 860 GQ), and a Grand Caravan Dodge (Lagos APP 847 YF); 74 new TV sets; 10 used TV sets; and 13 refrigerators. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the details in a Sunday statement.
In a separate operation, NDLEA intercepted opioid shipments destined for the Niger Republic and Yobe State. On April 23, two suspects—Abba Ibrahim and Shuaibu Umar—were arrested in Gumel, Jigawa, with 200,000 tramadol pills and 217,500 pregabalin capsules. A follow-up raid in Kano led to the capture of supplier Jamilu Muhammad, uncovering an additional 1.58 million tramadol pills, totaling 2,001,500 seized opioids.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA destroyed 3,814.9kg of skunk cannabis on two farms in the Ugbodu community of Ovia North East LGA, arresting three suspects: Samuel Samson, Daniel Peter, and Abel Edah.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiatives, conducting educational sessions in schools across Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Anambra, while Lagos officials engaged community leaders, including the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.) commended teams in Lagos, Kano, Jigawa, Edo, and Seme for their efforts, emphasizing balanced strategies in drug supply reduction and public advocacy.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The NDLEA’s raid on The Hook Hotel, alongside operations in Jigawa, Kano, and Edo, demonstrates a robust and multifaceted approach to combating drug trafficking in Nigeria. The seizure of over ₦1.04 billion in cannabis, millions of opioid pills, and significant assets disrupts both supply chains and financial networks.
The WADA initiatives further complement these efforts by addressing demand through education and community engagement.
Under Marwa’s leadership, the NDLEA is making strides, but the war against drugs remains complex, and the ongoing battle requires both enforcement and societal transformation.
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