Agency busts illegal gun factory in Kaduna, recovers 196 AK-47 bullets, arrests suspects in nationwide drug raids
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 25.05 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed in imported breakfast cereal packs at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and arrested a 56-year-old Nigerian suspected of trafficking the drug.
The agency also arrested an American professional basketball player over the importation of 33.95kg of cannabis, popularly known as Loud, from Thailand, while busting an illegal firearms manufacturing factory in Kaduna State. 
The operations, which were carried out between November 9 and 14, also led to the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs across Lagos, Kaduna, Ondo, Delta, Edo and Osun states.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the methamphetamine suspect, identified as Omokan Isaac Babatope, whose real name is Chinedu Onwude, was arrested on Wednesday, November 11, at the arrival hall of Terminal II, MMIA, upon his return from South Africa.
A search of his two travelling bags reportedly led to the discovery of 25 parcels of a white crystalline substance weighing 25.05kg.
The substance, concealed in packs of assorted breakfast cereals and cereal-based food products, subsequently tested positive for methamphetamine.
The agency said preliminary investigations revealed that the 56-year-old suspect had lived in South Africa for more than 24 years and possessed Nigerian and South African passports.
During interrogation, he reportedly admitted adopting the identity of Omokan Isaac Babatope after allegedly using forged documents to gain entry into South Africa.
He further claimed that a South Africa-based man, identified as Obiora Okoye, contracted him to deliver the consignment in Nigeria for a fee of 20,000 South African rand.
In a separate operation at the same airport on November 11, NDLEA operatives arrested a 28-year-old American citizen, Greene Da’monte Khiree, over a shipment of 33.95kg of Loud allegedly imported from Thailand through Dubai.
The suspect, who arrived aboard an Emirates Airline flight, reportedly abandoned two checked-in bags and attempted to leave the airport with only his hand luggage.
He was subsequently apprehended at the airport car park after operatives placed him under surveillance.
A search of the abandoned bags, which bore his name tags, led to the recovery of 32 parcels of Loud weighing 33.95kg. A tracking device was also recovered.
The suspect, a native of Savannah, Georgia, reportedly told investigators that he had been living in Thailand since October 2025, where he played professional basketball.
He claimed he travelled to Nigeria on holiday to establish networks for his basketball career.
However, the NDLEA said a forensic examination of his mobile phone revealed information indicating his knowledge of and involvement in the alleged drug trafficking operation.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, operatives arrested a 33-year-old man, Taiwo Adebayo Aderoju, at Ebute Metta on November 10, recovering 119.71kg of cannabis sativa from him.
Another operation in the Ajah area on November 14 resulted in the recovery of 78.8kg of cannabis, 2.5 litres of skuchies, 6.8 litres of codeine syrup, 23 grammes of Rohypnol, 478 grammes of tramadol, 10.6kg of nitrous oxide and 714 grammes of pregabalin from an abandoned Toyota Sienna.
The suspect reportedly fled after sighting the operatives.
In Kaduna State, the agency uncovered an illegal firearms manufacturing factory at Sabon Garin Kangin on November 9, arresting a 45-year-old suspect, Sagiru Musa.
Items recovered from the facility included 17 locally fabricated Dane guns, two pistols, 25 Dane gun pipes and other materials allegedly used for manufacturing firearms.
In another operation along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Jere on November 13, operatives intercepted a 31-year-old woman, Tabara.
