NDLEA intercepts N6.2bn drugs hidden in Ghana soap, opioids at Lagos airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria intercepted a significant amount of illicit drugs at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The agency announced the seizure of captagon, also known as the “Jihadi drug,” and millions of opioid tablets, with a combined value of over N6.2 billion. The interception came after the arrest of a 49-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Akinbile Kazeem Aikins, who arrived from Ghana on an African World Airlines flight.

Aikins was found to have concealed 47,200 pills of illicit amphetamine drug, worth over N1.5 billion, inside blocks of local bathing soap, known as “Ghana Soap.” Additionally, NDLEA operatives recovered 3,900,030 tablets of Tramaking and Tapentadol, weighing a total of 2,787.40kg, with an estimated street value of more than N4.6 billion.

These drugs were found in four abandoned consignments at the airport, following a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders. The NDLEA also arrested three individuals in Rivers State for attempting to deliver 3.350kg of a synthetic cannabis strain and recovered illicit drugs in Ondo and Delta States, including skunk and various opioids.

The agency's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, commended the efforts of the airport's security personnel and urged NDLEA personnel to remain vigilant against drug trafficking methods.