In a dramatic turn of events, the notorious cocaine trafficking ring led by Bolanle Lookman Dauda and his wife, Olayinka Toheebat Dauda, has been dismantled in Lagos and Ogun states. The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a series of intelligence-driven operations, successfully apprehended the couple, seizing a massive haul of illicit drugs worth billions of naira.
According to Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA spokesperson, the couple was captured on Saturday, May 25, 2024, by a specialized unit within the agency, with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The arrest occurred at Ibiye, along the Lagos-Badagry expressway, as the Daudas attempted to smuggle the narcotics across the border into Ghana. At the time of their capture, they were found with 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms.
Following the arrest, a swift operation was conducted at their residence in Agbara, Ogun state. This led to the discovery of an additional eight blocks of cocaine weighing 10 kilograms, bringing the total seizure to 57.5 kilograms. Babafemi highlighted the significant impact of this bust, emphasizing the substantial blow dealt to the drug trafficking network.
In another related operation, the NDLEA’s special unit intercepted a significant quantity of fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid. The first raid at the bustling Idumota market on Lagos Island resulted in the capture of 34-year-old Ikeh Stanley Ifeanyi, who was found with 1,100 ampoules of fentanyl weighing 6.48 kilograms. Shortly after, another member of the syndicate, 48-year-old Chieze Ogechukwu Benjamin, was arrested with 790 ampoules weighing 5.273 kilograms. Fentanyl, known to be 100 times stronger than heroin, is a leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S., making these seizures particularly significant.
In addition to these high-profile arrests, two other individuals, Olayiwola Aremu Kazeem and Ogunfowora Taofik Ajibola, were apprehended on Lagos Island with 432 grams of methamphetamine. Their capture further underscores the breadth and depth of the NDLEA’s operations against the drug trade.
The NDLEA’s vigilant efforts didn’t stop there. At the Tincan port in Lagos, officers intercepted a shipment of 15 parcels of Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis. The drugs, weighing 7.5 kilograms, were cleverly hidden within the doors and body crevices of a Toyota Highlander SUV, part of a container shipment originating from Toronto, Canada. The subsequent investigation led to the arrests of Sunday Sodade and Oriyomi Adesina, who were set to receive the vehicle and its illicit cargo. Notably, a six-million-naira bribe offered by the sender in Canada was also documented as evidence for the prosecution.
Reacting to these successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), praised the agency’s officers for their unwavering dedication and effectiveness. He also lauded the fruitful collaboration between NDLEA and its international partners, urging continued vigilance and persistence in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking.
