NDLEA nabs ex-convict with drugs hidden in speakers

A 41-year-old ex-convict and Malaysian returnee, Ndubuisi Udatu, also known as Richard, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency while attempting to traffic 2.7kg of methamphetamine concealed inside two giant music speakers headed for distribution in Yola, Mubi, and across the border into Cameroon.

Ndubuisi, who confessed to returning to Nigeria to continue his drug trafficking operations after completing a jail sentence in Malaysia, was intercepted on Monday, April 7, 2025, by NDLEA operatives at a checkpoint in Namtari along the Ngurore-Yola road in Adamawa State.

A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi said the suspect was travelling in a commercial transport bus when officers discovered the four parcels of meth and a monetary exhibit of N22,300 hidden in the speakers.

“In his statement, he claimed he returned to Nigeria to continue his illicit drug trade after serving out his jail term in Malaysia where he had been arrested, convicted and sent to prison for drug trafficking offences, “ Baba Femi added.

In a separate operation at the Mfum border in Cross River State, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives, working alongside Customs officers, apprehended another trans-border trafficker, 35-year-old Odoh Peter Ikechukwu, with 8,740 ampoules of opioids weighing 395kg.

He added that the seizure included 1,080 ampoules of fentanyl injection, 2,160 of morphine sulphate, 3,010 of phenobarbital sulphate, 2,160 of pethidine, and 330 of midazolam.

“In Kano, NDLEA operatives on Friday 11th April 2025 arrested 27-year-old Aliyu Ibrahim with 20 ATM cards and 25,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and 250mg at Bachirawa area of Kano, while 48-year-old Gambo Lawan was nabbed in a follow-up operation at Wazobia motor park, Gwagwalada FCT Abuja following the seizure of a consignment of 8,960 pills of tramadol by NDLEA officers on routine check along Gwagwalada expressway on Monday April 7.”

In Niger State, Babafemi said operatives seized 124kg of skunk—an especially potent strain of cannabis—packed in 11 jumbo bags from a Lexus vehicle driven by 58-year-old Ademiluyi Adedapo Collins along the Mokwa-Jebba road.

Babafemi said the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), lauded the agency’s officers across Adamawa, Cross River, Kano, Niger, and the FCT, urging continued vigilance and commitment to combating drug cartels while strengthening preventive advocacy.