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NDLEA Seizes Cocaine Concealed in Fish in Lagos
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA have intercepted a large consignment of cocaine hidden in the heads of imported dried stock fish, popularly called “Okporoko,” and arrested a suspected kingpin allegedly trafficking the drug to India.
The agency said the seizure followed intelligence on the syndicate’s trans-border criminal activities, which prompted a coordinated sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command in the Ojo area of Lagos on March 19, 2026.
In a statement made available to the column.ng on sunday the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said that during the operation, three jumbo bags were recovered from a 36-year-old suspect, Akputa Ejike.
“A large consignment of cocaine concealed in the heads of imported dry stock fish has been intercepted by the NDLEA, which also arrested a key member of the syndicate involved in shipping the illicit substance across the world, especially to India.
“The dismantling of the drug syndicate followed intelligence on their trans-border criminal activities. This led to a well-coordinated sting operation by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of the agency in the Ojo area of Lagos on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
“In the course of the operation, three jumbo-sized bags were found in the possession of the kingpin, 36-year-old Akputa Ejike.
A search of the bags led to the recovery of 237 wraps of cocaine buried in the heads of imported dry stock fish, locally known as ‘Okporoko.’ The cocaine pellets have a gross weight of 5.80 kilograms. The consignment was intended for export to Delhi, India.”
In another operation in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives on March 25 intercepted two illicit consignments bound for the United Kingdom at a courier company.
He added that one of the shipments, which originated from Cotonou, Benin Republic, contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters, while the second parcel contained 40 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate and nine ampoules of Fentanyl.
Babafemi also said operatives of a Special Operations Unit on March 26 raided the residence of a suspected drug syndicate leader, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, at Carter Street, Yaba, Lagos, arresting her alongside her salesgirl, Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka.
“A total of 135 blocks of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 76.30kg, were recovered from them. Jolayemi, popularly known as ‘Iya Ghana,’ allegedly runs a drug distribution network between Nigeria and Ghana under the cover of trading in fabrics,” he added.
On the same day, he said operatives arrested another suspect, Anayo Ohabiro, at Doyin bus stop, Surulere, Lagos, where 78 blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 41kg were seized.
In Ekiti State, he said NDLEA operatives arrested an 80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, during a raid at Mosafuneto camp, Erinmo Road, Efon-Alaaye, recovering 2.2kg of skunk and 1.8 grams of methamphetamine.
“In Ekiti State, an 80-year-old man, Oke Samuel, was on Thursday, March 26, arrested by NDLEA operatives during a special raid operation at Mosafuneto camp, Erinmo Road, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti. A total of 2.2kg of skunk and 1.8 grams of methamphetamine were recovered from him, while 894.72kg of the same psychoactive substance was seized from another suspect, Enuwa Kehinde Kingsley, 37, when an uncompleted building was raided by NDLEA officers at Ogbese in the Akure North area of Ondo State on the same day,” he said.
In Benue State, Babafemi said 116.7kg of skunk was recovered from a suspect, Saater Nyam, during a raid at Pevi village in Guma Local Government Area on March 24.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, he said operatives uncovered a warehouse in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of Felix Donald and the seizure of 576.5kg of skunk and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
“In Taraba State, NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence on Tuesday, March 24, intercepted a truck marked DUT 457 ZB conveying 100 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 135 kilograms, concealed in bags of animal feed, from Garbachede to Gombe State. Two suspects, Osama Mamuda, 21, and Auwal Umar, 22, were arrested in connection with the seizure,” he said.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, Special Operations Unit, DOGI, and commands in Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, Edo, and Taraba states for the arrests and seizures.
He also praised personnel across the country for maintaining a balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
The interception highlights growing attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to conceal illicit substances in food items and export them through international routes.
In recent months, the NDLEA has stepped up intelligence-led operations at airports, courier companies, and across states to dismantle trafficking networks targeting Europe and Asia.
Brazil superstar Neymar was handed a dramatic recall to the country’s World Cup squad on Monday, returning to the national team after a near three-year absence.
The inclusion of Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, was the biggest surprise in the 26-man squad named by coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti announced Neymar’s selection at a gala ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, with loud cheers ringing out as the veteran attacker’s call-up was confirmed.
Speculation has raged for months over whether the 34-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker would force his way back into the national team set-up.
The forward, a veteran of the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups, had not played for Brazil since suffering a knee injury during a World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay in 2023.
A mixture of injuries and poor form had left him outside the national team setup, with Ancelotti citing concerns over his fitness after leaving him out of Brazil’s squad for March friendlies against France and Croatia.
However, Neymar, who rejoined boyhood club Santos in January after an injury-ravaged stint in Saudi Arabia, has now earned Ancelotti’s stamp of approval for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Brazil, who are chasing a record sixth World Cup crown, open their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13 before playing Haiti and Scotland in Group C.
Brazil World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool/ENG), Ederson (Fenerbahce/TUR), Weverton (Gremio/BRA)
Defenders
Alex Sandro (Flamengo/BRA), Danilo (Flamengo/BRA), Leo Pereira (Flamengo/BRA), Bremer (Juventus/ITA), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg/RUS), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal/ENG), Ibanez (Al-Ahli/KSA), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Wesley (Roma/ITA)
Midfielders
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle/ENG), Casemiro (Manchester United/ENG), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad/KSA), and Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo/BRA).
Forwards
Endrick (Lyon/FRA), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal/ENG), Igor Thiago (Brentford/ENG), Luiz Henrique (Zenit/RUS), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United/ENG), Neymar (Santos/BRA), Raphinha (Barcelona/ESP), Rayan (Bournemouth/ENG), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/ESP)
AFP
As the deadline of May 20, 2026, fast approaches, Wema Bank has announced the last call for submissions for children and teens interested in participating in becoming MD/CEO of Wema Bank for one day.
Launched in May 2025 as part of Wema Bank’s 80th anniversary celebration, the One-Day MD/CEO initiative was introduced by Wema Bank to commemorate Children’s Day in a uniquely unprecedented manner. Inspired by the Bank’s 80th anniversary theme “80 Years of Impact, A Future of Possibilities”, the Wema Bank One-Day MD/CEO initiative served as a bridge between past and future, giving children across Nigeria the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the MD/CEO of Wema Bank for one day—Children’s Day.
As 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah emerged winner, the Wema Bank One-Day MD/CEO initiative dominated the conversation on May 27, 2025, with children across Nigeria inspired to put in the work towards a successful future and parents commending the Bank’s consistent commitment to empowering children and helping them build the right future. This year, 2026, the Wema Bank One-Day MD/CEO initiative has returned on a larger scale.
For the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, Wema Bank will give another child or teenager [ages 0-16] a chance to step into the shoes of Managing Director/CEO of Wema Bank, for a day. The child will get to oversee board meetings, make tactical decisions, and experience firsthand the demands and responsibilities that come with the office of MD/CEO, especially for an institution like Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous national bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT.
To participate, children/teens are expected to record a 60-second video detailing what their ideal role in banking would be and what they hope to achieve. This video is to be posted on any social media platform using #EvolutionOfPossibilities and tagging @wemabank on the post. The post with the highest number of likes emerges winner and the winner gets to become MD/CEO of Wema Bank on Monday, May 25, 2026, in celebration of Children’s Day.
Both parents and teens are encouraged to hurry and make their submissions now as entry closes in less than two days, specifically on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
More details on the Bank’s social media platforms @wemabank
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Nigerian forces have carried out additional airstrikes against Islamic State in northeastern Nigeria.
The attack followed the killing of of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who was eliminated alongside some of his men, on Friday.
In a statement, AFRICOM said No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed during the strikes.
Commenting on the operation, the Defence Headquarters said more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters were killed.
According to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the operation targeted terrorist hideouts in Metele area of northern Borno, a known flashpoint for insurgent attacks.
In a statement, he said the strikes were based on credible intelligence indicating the movement and convergence of terrorist elements in the area.
The Defence Headquarters explained that the latest offensive is part of sustained counterterrorism operations in the North-East, aimed at dismantling insurgent networks and denying them safe havens.
“The ongoing operations follow the neutralisation of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and are part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, remove them from the battlefield and deny the terrorists any safe haven within Nigeria,” the statement read.
The military further reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity, stressing that insurgents will continue to face decisive action.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation. Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities and national stability will be located and defeated. There will be no safe haven for terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” it added.
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