Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a former Lagos State councillor as part of a series of nationwide operations that also led to the interception of narcotics concealed in baby diapers and the recovery of materials suspected to be used in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The former councillor, Sheleru Sadiq Olalekan, 45, was apprehended on Monday, March 2, 2026, at his residence in Ilado, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State. Olalekan, who previously served two terms representing the Orimedu community in the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Council and currently works as a legislative aide, was arrested following a search of his home.
NDLEA officials said the search uncovered 40 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden in one of the rooms in the house. During interrogation, Olalekan reportedly admitted ownership of both the drugs and the residence where they were discovered.
Drugs Hidden in Baby Diapers
In a separate operation in the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA officers on Tuesday, March 3, intercepted Emeka Hyginus Okwor, a 32-year-old businessman travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba, Abuja.
A search of his luggage revealed 1,000 tablets of tapentadol (250mg) concealed inside baby diapers. Investigators said Okwor allegedly confessed he was transporting the drugs to Guduwa village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, where he operates a provision store.
Colorado Cannabis and Foreign Suspect Arrested
Also on March 3, NDLEA patrol officers along the Kabba–Obajana highway in Kogi State intercepted 1.55 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain. The drugs were hidden inside a carton containing a standing fan.
The consignment was traced to Mey Ali Muhamat, a 36-year-old Cameroonian from Maroua. He was arrested while travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Cameroon through Lokoja, Kano and Maiduguri.
Suspected IED Components Seized in Niger State
On Wednesday, March 4, NDLEA officers patrolling the Mokwa–Jebba road in Niger State stopped a commercial bus travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State. Inside a white sack, they discovered 500 components suspected to be used in the fabrication of improvised explosive devices.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the alleged recipient, Osama Abdullahi, 21, at Pelegi in Mashegu Local Government Area.
Large Drug Hauls in Adamawa and Other States
In Yola, Adamawa State, officers discovered 122,000 tramadol pills and 700 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the false bottom of a truck carrying 2,000 cartons of locally produced drinks.
Additional arrests and seizures were recorded across several states:
Kano State: Muhammed Ali, 20, was arrested at Gadar Tamburawa with 11,283 tramadol pills on March 3.
Ogun State: Two suspects, Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa, were arrested in Ogere with 46 kilograms of skunk.
Delta State: Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22, were apprehended at Ogwashi-Uku on March 7 with 18.63kg of skunk, 10.8 litres of codeine syrup, and 4,268 tramadol and swinol tablets.
Forest Farms Destroyed in Edo
NDLEA operatives also carried out a raid in Egbisi forest in Uhumwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, arresting Eke London, 48, and Austin Isusi, 49. Officers destroyed 1,910.25 kilograms of skunk cultivated on two farms during the operation.
In a separate raid in Ikhin town, Owan East LGA, another suspect, Alaba Adeboye, 47, was arrested with 176.50 kilograms of skunk.
Anti-Drug Awareness Campaign Continues
Beyond enforcement activities, NDLEA commands across the country continued the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through awareness programmes in schools, communities, workplaces and religious centres.
Sensitisation lectures were delivered at several institutions, including Government Senior College Apata (Ibadan), Government Girls Secondary School Katcha (Niger State), Government Girls Day Secondary School Tsafe (Zamfara), Sango Junior Secondary School Agege (Lagos), Government Day Secondary School Illela (Sokoto), Archbishop Akinola International Secondary School Afikpo (Ebonyi), and Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School Abagana (Anambra).
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers in Lagos, the FCT, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Edo, Ogun, Delta and Adamawa commands for their efforts. He urged them to remain committed to the agency’s balanced strategy of strong enforcement combined with sustained public sensitisation in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
