During the operation, NDLEA officers recovered a massive 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a “notorious illegal drug supplier” alleged to be fueling banditry in Niger State, as the agency made seizures and arrests across several states in a sweeping nationwide crackdown.
Three weeks after evading arrest, 33-year-old Mohammed Sani, popularly known as Gamboli, was finally apprehended by NDLEA operatives at his hideout in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, on Thursday, December 11, 2025, according to Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy in a statement issued on Sunday.
Gamboli, described by the statement as a major supplier of illicit drugs to armed bandits terrorising Shiroro and surrounding communities, had earlier escaped during a raid on his residence in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, on November 20, 2025.
Babafemi stated that during that operation, NDLEA officers recovered a massive 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis.
He noted that following weeks of intelligence-led surveillance, NDLEA officers tracked him to one of his drug joints, where he was arrested without incident.
“Intelligence reports had indicated that Gamboli is a major supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Shiroro local government area,” the agency said.
"Meanwhile, NDLEA officers in Abia on Thursday 11th December raided a clandestine codeine syrup-manufacturing factory at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, in Osisioma local government area of the state. During the operation, operatives recovered a total of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 1,152.2kg,” the statement said.
Similarly, in Enugu State, officers arrested Ossai Emeka, 45, along the Onitsha–Enugu Ezike Road with 7.2kg of skunk, while Enoje Agada, 40, was nabbed along the Enugu Ezike–Ette Road with a staggering 94.6kg of the same substance.
"A raid carried out by NDLEA operatives at a notorious drug joint known as "Beere the California" at Ido in Oyo state on Thursday 11th December led to the seizure of 3.4kg skunk, 1.6kg Colorado, a synthetic cannabis and 400grams of methamphetamine,” it said.
“The owner of the drug joint identified as "Idowu the killer" is currently at large while a suspect Ajibade Faruk was nabbed at the joint. Another operation at Idi Oro, Elekuro, Ibadan on Friday 12th December led to the arrest of Olusanya Abosede, 35, and the seizure of 238.4kg skunk.”
In Lagos, two men, Bashiru Babalola (43) and Ugunwale Ranti (50), were arrested on December 10 at the Gbaji checkpoint along Seme Road, Badagry, with 50,000 tramadol 250mg pills.
In Ogun State, Akinwale Makanjuola and Joseph Owolabi were caught with 73kg of skunk in Iperu, while Wasiu Lateef was apprehended with 25kg of the same substance in Oke Agbede, Imeko on December 9.
In Ondo State, NDLEA officers raided a compound in Ogbese, Akure North LGA, on December 10, arresting Veronica Obi (55) and her son Bright Obi (29) and recovering 1,187 kilograms of skunk and seeds.
Edo State also saw a significant seizure when Ohiomah Igbafe (44) was arrested in Uroe, Owan East LGA, with 461kg of skunk and seeds on December 9.
In Gombe State, Muhammed Sani (50) was arrested with 40,000 tramadol capsules in Tunfure, while Muhammad Abdullahi (52) and Muhammed Hamza (32) were apprehended in Ashaka, Jalingo, with 56kg of skunk on December 8.
"At courier facilities in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer clothing. The consignments were destined for the United States, Canada and Sweden between December 9 and 10, 2025,” the statement said.
"Meanwhile, at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers on Saturday, December 13, intercepted a container carrying 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23,579kg during a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.”