“Nigeria becoming drug trafficking route”–NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says foreign nationals are increasingly using Nigeria as a route to move drugs to other countries.

Three South African nationals had been arrested in recent operations involving large quantities of heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis, known as Loud, the agency said.

Speaking on Thursday at a joint security briefing in Abuja, NDLEA Assistant Director, Media and Advocacy, Francis Okogun, said the arrests were significant because of the negative impression they could create about Nigeria internationally.

“Our findings indicate that some foreign nationals are increasingly becoming involved in facilitating the movement of illicit drugs through Nigeria to other parts of the world. Some are also involved in bringing such substances into the country,” Okogun said.

He said the quantities and variety of drugs recovered suggested possible links to international drug trafficking networks.

“These individuals are suspected of working on behalf of international drug cartels,” he added.

Okogun said the agency was investigating the destinations of the seized drugs and the cartels behind the shipments.

“We are therefore conducting painstaking investigations to establish the actual destinations of the drugs and identify the cartels responsible for the shipments,” he said.

In October 2026, operatives arrested Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie at Port Harcourt International Airport for allegedly importing 32.74 kilogrammes of synthetic cannabis, known as Thai Loud.

On July 6, 2026, operatives arrested 38-year-old Will Jessica Ann at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after allegedly finding 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin concealed in 14 blocks inside her luggage.

She was arrested during inward clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Abuja.