NDLEA flags foreign drug traffickers after S’Africans’ arrests

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has raised concerns over the increasing involvement of South African nationals in international drug trafficking.

The agency said three South Africans had been arrested in recent operations, with large quantities of heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Loud, recovered from them.

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

He said, “On the arrest of South African nationals in connection with drug trafficking, it is important to clarify that the issue has attracted attention because of the negative impression it 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. For the period under review, three individuals were arrested.

“What makes these arrests particularly significant is the large quantities of drugs recovered, including heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis popularly known as Loud. These individuals are suspected of working on behalf of international drug cartels.”

Okogun said the suspects were suspected of working for international drug cartels, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the destinations of the drugs and identify those behind the shipments.

As you know, drug traffickers rarely volunteer information about their sponsors or the final destinations of their consignments.

“These individuals are suspected of working on behalf of international drug cartels.

“As you know, drug traffickers rarely volunteer information about their sponsors or the final destinations of their consignments.

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

The agency’s disclosure comes amid the arrest of South African nationals in separate drug trafficking cases at Nigerian airports.

In October 2026, the NDLEA arrested a South African woman, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, at the Port Harcourt International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 32.74 kilogrammes of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Thai Loud.

Earlier, on July 6, 2026, operatives of the agency arrested another South African, 38-year-old Will Jessica Ann, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after allegedly discovering 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin concealed in 14 blocks inside her luggage.

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

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa, on Thursday declared war against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State.

Marwa spoke at an interactive stakeholder engagement in Benin, where he also urged religious bodies in the state to join in the fight.

At the event were representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Air Force, members of the National Youth Service Corps, Civil Society Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, community leaders, among others.

Speaking to the stakeholders at the event with the theme: ‘Addressing the Drug Problem in Edo State,’ the NDLEA boss said the fight against illicit drugs must involve the whole society, noting that all stakeholders “must join hands, flex muscles, work together, collaborate and defeat this criminality.”

Marwa, who urged parents and guardians to set good examples and monitor their children, said it was better to take an early approach to drug abuse, adding that every criminal act could be traced to the use of illicit drugs.

“I am here personally to declare war against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State. Though the NDLEA is the lead agency in the country for the enforcement of drug laws, we cannot do it alone.

“We must, as parents, engage early and seek help for our children. There is no shame in it. This is very important for our children and for the future of our country.

“Each of us must play our part. When each contributes his part or her part, in the end, we know that this monster will be conquered.

“Of course, I will be meeting CAN executives and the Islamic council here in Benin. I am going to talk to them as an important segment in our society to use their platforms to preach against drug abuse and support communities,” he added.

The NDLEA boss urged schools in the country to establish drug-free and counselling clubs, as he encouraged students to report to their teachers and headmasters when they were offered drugs.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the state commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the fight against drug abuse and trafficking could not be won in isolation, urging synergy among sister security agencies.

Ofoyeju thanked security agencies and others, adding that the arrests and seizures made in the past years would not have been possible without their support from sister security agencies.