Lekki Restaurant Owner Arrested in Connection with Drug Trafficking Operations

Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, a restaurant owner in Lekki, was arrested for allegedly importing 60 parcels of cannabis from the U.S. The NDLEA seized a total of 32.24 kg of drugs from his residence. Additional operations across Nigeria resulted in the apprehension of multiple suspects and substantial drug recoveries.

On March 24, 2025, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, a 43-year-old restaurant owner in Lekki, was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for his alleged role in drug trafficking. He was apprehended at Bay Lounge while anticipating the delivery of a shipment of narcotics. The agency has accused him of importing 60 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from the United States to Nigeria.

The arrest follows the interception of a shipment containing seven large cartons, seized by NDLEA operatives on March 12 at a logistics facility in Lagos. Following his detention, a search of Ebenezer’s Lekki residence yielded an additional 94 grams of cannabis and various drug paraphernalia, raising the total amount of seized narcotics to 32.24 kilograms. He reportedly began this illicit drug trade in 2017.

In a separate incident, the NDLEA also thwarted another attempt to export drugs, apprehending businessman Omoruyi Terry at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. He was attempting to send 1,400 tramadol pills to Italy. Investigators noted that Terry is a frequent traveler and logistics agent based in Italy.

In Katsina state, four individuals—Baraka Abubakar, 40; Haruna Alitine, 23; Muhammad Babangida, 20; and Hamisu Lawal—were arrested on March 28 during an intelligence-led raid, with authorities recovering 684 blocks of compressed cannabis (423 kg) and 86,000 diazepam pills. During this operation, some suspects were found repackaging drugs.

Additionally, NDLEA operatives have destroyed approximately 13,198 kilograms of cannabis in Edo state. They also seized a total of 158 kilograms in potential prosecutions across various plantation locations within the state. Similar operations in Niger state led to the interception of a vehicle containing 179 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 77.6 kg.

Further drug recoveries included 50 kg of skunk from a suspect’s residence in Wawa village, and 108.5 kg confiscated from shops in Enugu State. Various smaller quantities were also seized from additional suspects across the regions, underscoring ongoing enforcement efforts against drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The recent arrests and drug seizures by the NDLEA highlight the ongoing challenge of drug trafficking in Nigeria. Arokodare Damil Ebenezer’s case exemplifies the law enforcement’s proactive measures against narcotics importation, while simultaneous operations across various states signal an intensive crackdown on drug-related activities. Continued vigilance and investigation are crucial for addressing this pervasive issue.

Original Source: saharareporters.com