NDLEA ARRESTS THREE SOUTH AFRICANS OVER DRUG TRAFFICKING.

In COMMUNITY
November 6, 2026
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has raised concerns over the increasing involvement of South African nationals in international drug trafficking, following the arrest of three suspects in separate operations. The agency said large quantities of heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Loud, were recovered from the suspects. The Assistant Director, Media

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has raised concerns over the increasing involvement of South African nationals in international drug trafficking, following the arrest of three suspects in separate operations.

The agency said large quantities of heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Loud, were recovered from the suspects.

The Assistant Director, Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Francis Okogun, disclosed this on Thursday during a joint security briefing in Abuja.

Okogun said investigations indicated that some foreign nationals were using Nigeria as a transit route for illicit drugs to other parts of the world, while others were bringing the substances into the country.

He added that the suspects were believed to be working for international drug cartels, noting that investigations were ongoing to identify their sponsors and determine the final destinations of the drugs.

The arrests include a South African woman, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, apprehended at the Port Harcourt International Airport in October 2026 with 32.74 kilogrammes of synthetic cannabis, and another South African, Will Jessica Ann, arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in July with 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin allegedly concealed in her luggage.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Buba Marwa, has declared war against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State.

Marwa made the declaration during a stakeholders’ engagement in Benin, where he called on religious organisations, security agencies, parents, community leaders and civil society groups to support the fight against illicit drugs.

With the theme, Addressing the Drug Problem in Edo State, the NDLEA boss stressed that tackling drug abuse and trafficking required collective responsibility and sustained collaboration among all stakeholders.

He also urged parents and guardians to provide good examples and closely monitor their children, emphasising the importance of early intervention in preventing drug abuse.