Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a pastor and his wife for allegedly transporting illicit drugs concealed in their vehicle at the Seme border in Lagos.
The suspects, identified as Afolabi Hodonu, a pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ in Badagry, and his wife, Success, were apprehended on April 2 at the Gbaji checkpoint. According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, a search of their Honda Pilot SUV led to the discovery of 11 kilograms of skunk hidden in secret compartments.
The agency said the arrest followed an earlier operation at the same checkpoint, where a fake security agent, Sunday Samuel, was caught transporting 24.5kg of skunk from the border into Lagos.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives uncovered a drug trafficking network involved in exporting cocaine to the United Kingdom. The operation began on March 11 when officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport intercepted 3.10kg of cocaine concealed in tins of palm kernel extract.
Two suspects linked to the shipment were arrested at the airport, while further investigations led to the arrest of the alleged sender, Ezemuwo Joel, and the syndicate leader, King Arinze, in Lagos. Authorities also recovered hundreds of prepared tins and tools used for concealing drugs.
In separate operations across the country, the agency reported multiple arrests and seizures. In Borno, a suspect was arrested with 4.3kg of synthetic cannabis allegedly meant for bandit groups.
Other recoveries were made in Adamawa, Osun, Ondo, Benue, Edo, and Oyo states, including large quantities of tramadol and skunk. In Ibadan, Oyo State, a woman was arrested for allegedly using her 11-year-old daughter to distribute drugs to customers.
The NDLEA said the operations reflect its ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and distribution nationwide.
