Lekki Restaurant Owner Arrested in Major Drug Trafficking Operation
Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, a Lekki restaurant owner, was arrested by NDLEA for importing 60 parcels of cannabis from the U.S. His capture followed the seizure of a cargo shipment, leading to further discoveries at his home. Additional arrests related to narcotics were made across Nigeria, underscoring ongoing drug trafficking issues.
On March 24, 2025, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, a 43-year-old restaurant owner from Lekki, Lagos, was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly importing 60 parcels of “Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, from the U.S. His arrest occurred at Bay Lounge on Admiralty Way, as he awaited the delivery of narcotics.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, reported that the arrest followed the interception of seven large cartons that landed in Lagos on March 12. Operatives seized this cargo at a logistics company, subsequently leading to a search of Ebenezer’s Lekki home where an additional 94 grams of cannabis and drug paraphernalia were found, totaling 32.24 kilograms of narcotics.
Ebenezer admitted to starting his drug operation in 2017. Another suspect, Omoruyi Terry, was also apprehended while attempting to export 1,400 tramadol pills to Italy from Murtala Muhammed International Airport. He was intercepted before boarding a Qatar Airways flight, revealing his background as a frequent traveler and logistics agent.
In a separate operation in Katsina, four suspects were arrested during a raid at Godai village, where authorities recovered 684 blocks of compressed skunk cannabis, totaling 423 kilograms, and 86,000 diazepam pills. The raid revealed three males packaging diazepam, with a female suspect arrested for drug possession.
Further NDLEA operations destroyed over 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa in various Edo State forests. The marijuana had been cultivated in areas such as Uhen Forest and Sobe. On March 28, NDLEA agents seized 179 blocks of compressed skunk and arrested two individuals in a concealed vehicle.
Additionally, 50 kilograms of skunk were recovered from a suspect’s home in Niger State, while 108.5 kilograms were seized from shops in Enugu state. Another suspect was caught in Kwara State with 25 kilograms of cannabis, while a man in Oyo State was arrested with 2.5 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud.
The NDLEA’s recent operations reveal a rising trend in drug trafficking and narcotic abuse in Nigeria, marked by significant arrests and recoveries from various locations. The apprehension of individuals like Arokodare Damil Ebenezer underlines the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combatting drug-related crimes. These operations emphasize the importance of vigilance and cooperation in tackling drug trafficking networks.
Original Source: saharareporters.com
