NDLEA arrests Lekki businessman over 60 parcels of cannabis shipment from U.S
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of a Lekki-based businessman and owner of Damillionz Takeout, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, in connection with a shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, smuggled from the United States into Nigeria.
According to the NDLEA, the 43-year-old entrepreneur was taken into custody on Monday while waiting to receive his latest drug consignment at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way, Lekki, where he allegedly conducts his illicit trade.
This development was confirmed by Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.
Babafemi disclosed that the businessman’s arrest followed the seizure of his shipment, which arrived in Nigeria on 12th March 2025, packed in seven large cartons at a logistics company in Lagos. NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation successfully intercepted the illicit cargo.
A subsequent search of the suspect’s Lekki residence led to the discovery of an additional 94 grams of the same psychoactive substance, along with a cannabis grinder and other drug-related paraphernalia.
The total quantity of drugs confiscated from the suspect amounted to 32.24 kilograms. Upon interrogation, the suspect admitted to engaging in drug trafficking since 2017.
In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos thwarted an attempt by another businessman, Omoruyi Terry, to smuggle 1,400 tablets of tramadol (225mg), weighing 800 grams, to Italy.
Babafemi revealed that Omoruyi was intercepted at the screening point of Terminal 2 while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Italy. Investigations identified him as a frequent traveller and logistics agent operating between Nigeria and Italy.
Babafemi also provided details of other successful interceptions and seizures carried out by NDLEA officers in various parts of the country.
During an intelligence-led raid on Friday, 28th March, NDLEA operatives arrested four suspects in Godai village, Daura Local Government Area (LGA): Baraka Abubakar (40); Haruna Alitine (23); Muhammad Babangida (20); Hamisu Lawal.
The operation led to the seizure of 684 blocks of compressed skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 423kg, alongside 86,000 diazepam pills.
Three of the suspects were caught repackaging diazepam tablets into other containers, while Baraka Abubakar was found storing large quantities of skunk in her house.
Between Monday, 24th March, and Friday, 28th March, NDLEA operatives raided forests across the state, uncovering and destroying 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa. They also evacuated 158kg for further investigation and prosecution.
The targeted cannabis plantations were located in: Uhen forest, Ovia North East LGA; Sobe, Owan West LGA; Amahor forest, Igueben LGA.
On Friday, 28th March, NDLEA officers patrolling the Mokwa-Jebba road intercepted a black Toyota Corolla (registration: SLM 137 SV) and arrested two individuals in possession of 179 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 77.6kg, which was concealed in a false compartment of the vehicle.
The two suspects, identified as Paul Christopher (46) and Lucky Star Anumie, were immediately taken into custody.
In a separate operation on Saturday, 29th March, NDLEA officers recovered 50kg of skunk from the residence of Isa Iliya, a suspect currently on the run, in Wawa village, Borgu LGA.
NDLEA operatives recovered 108.5kg of skunk from lock-up shops at Aria New Market, Enugu metropolis, on Tuesday, 25th March. Officers confiscated 25kg of cannabis from a suspect, Abdulrazak Saka, in the Kilako area of Ilorin on Monday, 24th March. A 50-year-old suspect, Suli Saheed, was arrested in Olomi Academy, Ibadan, with 2.5kg of Ghanaian Loud and 515 grams of Colorado.
Reacting to these developments, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers and personnel from the MMIA, DOGI, and the Edo, Kwara, Niger, Enugu, Oyo, and Katsina commands for their dedication and success in combating drug trafficking across the country.