By Our Correspondent

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a former councillor in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos over alleged involvement in illegal drug trafficking after officers recovered 40 kilograms of skunk from his residence.

The suspect, Sheleru Olalekan, 45, previously represented the Orimedu community in the local government council for two terms and currently serves as a legislative aide.

NDLEA operatives arrested him on March 2, 2026, during a raid at his home in Ilado, Ibeju-Lekki.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, officers discovered the large consignment of skunk — a potent strain of cannabis — inside one of the rooms during a search of the property.

The suspect reportedly admitted ownership of both the drugs and the house where they were recovered.

The agency disclosed that the arrest is part of its ongoing nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and illicit drug distribution networks.

In another operation in the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA officers intercepted a 32-year-old businessman, Emeka Hyginus Okwor, who was travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba in Abuja.

A search of his luggage revealed 1,000 pills of tapentadol (250mg) hidden inside baby diapers.

Investigators said the suspect confessed that the drugs were meant for delivery to Guduwa village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, where he reportedly operates a provision store.

In Kogi State, NDLEA patrol officers also intercepted a commercial bus along the Kabba–Obajana highway and discovered 1.55kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain, concealed inside a standing fan carton.

The suspected courier, Mey Ali Muhamat, a Cameroonian national from Maroua, was reportedly travelling from Lagos en route to Cameroon.

Further operations across several states resulted in additional drug seizures and arrests.

In Adamawa State, officers recovered 122,000 tramadol pills and 700 grams of methamphetamine hidden in a truck transporting cartons of local drinks.

Authorities also arrested suspects in Kano State, Ogun State, Delta State, and Edo State, where large quantities of skunk, codeine-based syrup, and other controlled substances were seized during raids and highway interceptions.

NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa commended officers from multiple state commands for their coordinated efforts in combating drug trafficking.

He urged them to continue strengthening enforcement operations while sustaining public awareness campaigns under the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse initiative.

The agency said its anti-drug education programmes are ongoing in schools and communities nationwide as part of broader efforts to reduce drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.