Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a notorious drug supplier to bandits operating in parts of Niger State, identified as Mohammed Sani, also known as Gamboli, following weeks of intelligence led manhunt.
Gamboli, 33, was apprehended on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at his hideout and drug joint in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
His arrest came three weeks after NDLEA operatives raided his residence in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, on November 20, where 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were recovered.
He had escaped during the earlier operation but sustained intelligence efforts eventually led to his capture. NDLEA intelligence reports described him as a major supplier of illicit drugs to bandits terrorising the Shiroro axis.
In a related development, NDLEA officers in Abia State on December 11 dismantled a clandestine codeine syrup manufacturing factory at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, Osisioma Local Government Area. A total of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 1,152.2 kilograms, were recovered during the raid.
Across other states, the Agency recorded multiple arrests and seizures. In Enugu State, Ossai Emeka, 45, was arrested along the Onitsha–Enugu Ezike Road with 7.2kg of skunk, while Enoje Agada, 40, was intercepted along the Enugu-Ezike–Ette Road with 94.6kg of the same substance.
In Oyo State, a raid on a notorious drug joint known as “Beere the California” in Ido led to the seizure of 3.4kg of skunk, 1.6kg of Colorado (synthetic cannabis), and 400 grams of methamphetamine.
The alleged owner of the joint, identified as Idowu the Killer, is currently at large, while a suspect, Ajibade Faruk, was arrested. Another operation at Idi Oro, Elekuro, Ibadan, resulted in the arrest of Olusanya Abosede, 35, and the seizure of 238.4kg of skunk.
At the Gbaji checkpoint along Seme Road, Badagry, Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Bashiru Babalola, 43, and Ugunwale Ranti, 50, with 50,000 pills of tramadol (250mg).
In Ogun State, Akinwale Makanjuola and Joseph Owolabi were arrested with 73kg of skunk at Iperu, while Wasiu Lateef was nabbed with 25kg of the substance at Oke Agbede, Imeko area.
In Ondo State, a major bust followed a raid on a compound in Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area, where NDLEA officers arrested a 55-year-old woman, Veronica Obi, and her 29-year-old son, Bright Obi. A total of 1,187kg of skunk and cannabis seeds were recovered from the suspects.
Similarly, in Edo State, Ohiomah Igbafe, 44, was arrested during a raid at Uroe community, Owan East Local Government Area, with 461kg of skunk and seeds recovered.
In Gombe State, Muhammed Sani, also known as Sha-Mu-Sha, 50, was arrested with 40,000 capsules of tramadol at Tunfure area, while two other suspects, Muhammad Abdullahi (Sakalala), 52, and Muhammed Hamza (Mamman), 32, were arrested at Ashaka Jalingo with 56kg of skunk.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives intercepted 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline, and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer clothing.
The drugs were seized from six consignments bound for the United States, Canada, and Sweden at two major courier companies in Lagos between December 9 and 10, 2025.
At the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers, in a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on December 13, intercepted a container loaded with 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23,579kg.
In addition to enforcement operations, NDLEA commands across the country sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns, reaching schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities nationwide. Advocacy activities were held in Katsina, Kano, Benue, and Enugu States, among others.
Commending the officers and men of the Agency in Niger, Abia, Oyo, Enugu, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, and Gombe States for their professionalism and dedication, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged them to sustain the Agency’s balanced approach of drug supply reduction and demand reduction in the fight against substance abuse nationwide.
