The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing war against illicit drug trafficking, intercepting a large consignment of the highly dangerous stimulant known as Captagon in Kwara State, alongside multiple high-profile arrests across Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency’s operatives seized 10,000 pills of Captagon—an amphetamine-based substance often referred to as a “terror drug” due to its links with criminal syndicates and insurgent groups.
Captagon Seizure in Kwara Raises Security Concerns
The interception took place on April 21, 2026, along Bode Saadu Road in Kwara State, where NDLEA officers stopped a trailer and apprehended a 33-year-old suspect, Nasiru Mu’azu. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 10 packs of Captagon pills and additional quantities of Tapentadol 250mg, a potent opioid analgesic.
Captagon is widely abused in parts of the Middle East and has been associated with prolonged wakefulness, heightened alertness, euphoria, and reduced fear—qualities that have made it notorious among armed groups and criminal networks.
Massive Drug Haul in Follow-Up Operation
In a related operation at the same location on April 24, NDLEA operatives intercepted another trailer carrying a massive haul of illicit pharmaceuticals.
Recovered items included:
155,900 capsules of tramadol
6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection
3,000 tablets of co-codamol
9,000 tablets of bromazepam
The drugs were hidden in a specially constructed false compartment. A 24-year-old suspect, Aminu Isah, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Cocaine Trafficker Excretes 45 Pellets in Oyo
In Oyo State, NDLEA officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Ibadan/Oyo Expressway on April 21. A passenger, Eze Prince Emeka, was subjected to a body scan, which confirmed ingestion of illicit drugs.
The suspect later excreted 45 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.043 kilograms over three sessions. Investigations revealed that the drugs were intended for trafficking to Europe through trans-Saharan routes, with Algeria serving as a transit hub after an initial stop in Sokoto.
Edo, Lagos, Bauchi and Other States Record Major Arrests
The agency’s nationwide operations also led to several significant drug seizures:
Edo State: NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck carrying 1,196,000 pills of pharmaceutical opioids along the Benin/Lagos Expressway. Two suspects, Osagie Igbinibo (43) and Omijie Malik (44), were arrested.
Lagos State: A suspect, Rasheed Ibuowo (40), was caught with 810kg of cannabis.
Bauchi State: Muktar Bello (35) was arrested with 288 blocks of skunk weighing 154.5kg.
Ekiti State: Officers recovered 466.8kg of skunk from a residential property.
Cross River State: Authorities destroyed 20,000kg of cannabis cultivated on farmland.
IED Components Seized in Niger State
In a development with serious security implications, NDLEA operatives in Niger State recovered 394 components suspected to be used in the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The suspect, Mohammed Aliyu (26), has been transferred to relevant security agencies for further investigation.
NDLEA Chairman Commends Operatives
Reacting to the operations, NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised the agency’s officers for their vigilance and dedication.
He described the Captagon seizure as a critical disruption of transnational drug trafficking networks and warned that such substances remain a major threat due to their connection to violence and insecurity.
Marwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intensifying enforcement efforts and preventing the spread of dangerous narcotics across Nigeria.