Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate and intercepted cocaine concealed in heads of imported dry stockfish, popularly known as “okporoko,” in Lagos.
The agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the breakthrough followed intelligence on the group’s trans-border operations, particularly shipments bound for India.
He disclosed that a coordinated sting operation by NDLEA’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command led to the arrest of a 36-year-old suspect, Akputa Dickson Ejike, in the Ojo area of Lagos on March 19, 2026.
“This led to a well-coordinated sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command of the Agency at the Ojo area of Lagos on Thursday, 19th March 2026,” Babafemi said.
According to Babafemi, officers recovered three jumbo bags containing 237 wraps of cocaine with a total weight of 5.8 kilograms, cleverly hidden inside stockfish heads. The consignment was reportedly destined for Delhi, India.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted two additional drug shipments headed for the United Kingdom at a courier facility in Lagos.
“In the course of the operation, three jumbo size bags were found in possession of the kingpin 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike.
“A search of the bags led to the recovery of Two Hundred and Thirty-Seven (237) wraps of cocaine buried in the heads of imported dry stock fish locally known as “Okporoko.
“The cocaine pellets have a gross weight of 5.80 kilograms. The consignment was intended for export to Delhi, India.
“In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) on Wednesday 25th March intercepted two illicit consignments heading to the United Kingdom at a courier company.”
One consignment, which originated from Cotonou, Benin Republic, contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters, while another included ampoules of morphine sulphate and fentanyl.
“In one of the shipments that originated from Cotonou, Benin Republic, 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine were found concealed in automobile filters while the second parcel contains 40 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate and nine ampoules of Fentanyl.”
The agency also carried out multiple raids across the country, leading to the arrest of several suspects and the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs.
Among those arrested was a 46-year-old woman, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, also known as “Iya Ghana,” who was apprehended in Yaba, Lagos, alongside an accomplice. NDLEA operatives recovered 135 blocks of cannabis weighing over 76 kilograms from them.
“In yet another major interdiction operation, operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the Agency on Thursday 26th March raided the house of a female head of a notorious drug syndicate, 46-year-old Omolade Abigail Jolayemi at 13 Carter street, Yaba, Lagos where they arrested her and her sales girl, Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka, 31.”
Additional arrests and seizures were recorded in states including Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Benue, and Taraba, as the agency intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking networks nationwide.
The NDLEA said the operations underscore its commitment to disrupting illicit drug supply chains and prosecuting those involved in the trade.
