Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 56-year-old drug trafficker, Chinedu Onwude, who has lived in South Africa for over two decades under a stolen identity.
Onwude was arrested in connection with a 25.05 kilograms consignment of methamphetamine concealed in packs of assorted breakfast cereals imported from South Africa through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos
The arrest was part of a series of operations by the agency across Lagos, Ondo, Osun and other states, which resulted in the recovery of large quantities of cannabis and other illicit substances, as well as the arrest of several suspected drug dealers.
The methamphetamine suspect, identified as Omokan Isaac Babatope, whose real name is Chinedu Onwude, was arrested on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the arrival hall of Terminal II of the Lagos airport after returning from South Africa.
A search of his two travelling boxes led to the discovery of 25 parcels of a white crystalline substance weighing 25.05kg.
The substance subsequently tested positive for methamphetamine.
NDLEA said the parcels were carefully concealed inside packs of assorted breakfast cereals and cereal-based food products in an attempt to evade security screening.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted adopting the name Omokan Isaac Babatope after using forged documents to gain entry into South Africa.
He said he had continued using the identity for more than 24 years.
He also allegedly confessed that a South Africa-based man, identified as Obiora Okoye, contracted him to deliver the consignment in Nigeria for a payment of 20,000 South African rand.
In another interception at the same airport on November 11, operatives arrested a 28-year-old American professional basketball player, Greene Da’monte Khiree, over a 33.95kg consignment of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, imported from Thailand through Dubai.
The suspect reportedly abandoned two checked-in bags bearing his name before attempting to leave the airport with only his carry-on luggage.
He was subsequently apprehended at the airport car park.
A search of the abandoned bags uncovered 32 parcels of Loud weighing 33.95kg, while a tracking device was also recovered.
NDLEA said the suspect, a native of Savannah, Georgia, United States, claimed to have been living in Thailand since October 2025, where he plays professional basketball.
He reportedly told investigators that he travelled to Nigeria on holiday to build networks for his basketball career.
A forensic examination of his mobile phone allegedly revealed information linking him to the drug trafficking operation.
Southwest drug raids
Beyond the airport interceptions, NDLEA operatives recorded significant seizures in Lagos, Ondo and Osun states.
In Lagos, operatives arrested 33-year-old Taiwo Adebayo Aderoju during an intelligence-led operation at Ebute Metta on Tuesday, November 10, recovering 119.71kg of cannabis sativa from him.
Another operation in the Ajah area on Saturday, November 14, resulted in the recovery of 78.8kg of cannabis, 2.5 litres of skuchies, 6.8 litres of codeine syrup, 23 grammes of Rohypnol, 478 grammes of tramadol, 10.6kg of nitrous oxide and 714 grammes of pregabalin.
The substances were found in a silver Toyota Sienna allegedly abandoned by a suspect who fled after sighting the operatives.
In Ondo State, two suspects, Victor William, 42, and Akeem Azeez, 27, were arrested at Olabi village bush on November 10 after allegedly bringing out bags of cannabis for sale.
Their arrest led operatives to a storage facility where 50 bags of cannabis weighing 560kg were recovered.
Three other suspects, identified as Godwin Benson, 30; Muhammed Awwal, 34; and James Timothy, 18, were arrested during a raid on a cannabis farm in Ipele Forest on November 13. The operation yielded another 122kg of the substance.
Osun State also recorded significant seizures during operations at the Owena Forest Reserve.
NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Eze Chidiebere, 23, and Nwaoge Ugochukwu, 24, with 86kg of cannabis sativa during a farm destruction exercise.
In a related operation within the forest reserve, a 40-year-old man, Ugwu Chukwuemeka, was arrested with 28kg of dried cannabis and 21kg of fresh cannabis leaves.
His 0.855-hectare cannabis farm, estimated to contain 2,137.5kg of the plant, was subsequently destroyed.
Meanwhile, the agency sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across the region.
In Oyo State, NDLEA officials held an enlightenment programme for students and staff of Community Grammar School, Eyinni, Ibadan. Similar activities took place at Iganmode Grammar School, Ota, Ogun State, and Federal Government Girls College, Efon Alaye, Ekiti State.
The Ondo State Command also paid an advocacy visit to the Olu of Ilu Abo, Oba Olu Falae, as part of efforts to enlist traditional institutions in the campaign against drug abuse.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the agency’s commands in Lagos, Ondo, Osun and other states for the operations.
Marwa said the interception of methamphetamine concealed in breakfast cereals demonstrated that no concealment method could defeat the vigilance and determination of the agency’s operatives.
He also described the discovery of a firearms manufacturing factory in Kaduna State, during a separate operation, as further evidence of the connection between illicit drugs and violent crime.
He urged officers across the country to sustain efforts aimed at reducing both the supply of illicit drugs and the demand for them.
The developments were contained in a statement issued on Sunday, November 15, 2026, by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
