Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
In a sweeping offensive against drug trafficking in the nation’s capital, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled several notorious drug dens across Abuja and its environs, arresting 132 suspects and recovering over 220 kilograms of illicit substances.
The two-week intelligence-led operation, carried out between April 11 and 25, 2026, was executed by the agency’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation in collaboration with the FCT Strategic Command. It targeted identified drug hotspots that have long fueled substance abuse, trafficking, and related criminal activities within the capital city.
Raids were conducted simultaneously across multiple locations including Torabora Hills, Area 3, Gwarinpa, AYA, Durumi, Banex, Dei-Dei, Kubwa, Apo, Kwali, Gwagwalada, Wuse Zone 4, Garki Area 10, Jabi, and parts of the Suleja axis.
According to a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Femi Babafemi, during the coordinated operations, officers recovered a wide range of illicit drugs including 214.79 kilograms of skunk (a potent strain of cannabis), 5.524 kilograms of Diazepam, 2.352 kilograms of Exol, 1.119 kilograms of Tramadol, as well as smaller quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, rohypnol, mogadon, and codeine syrup.
Despite resistance from suspected traffickers in areas such as Durumi Area 1 and the Suleja market axis, NDLEA operatives overpowered the syndicates, dismantling their distribution networks without recording any casualties.
Briefing the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Director of Operations and General Investigation, DCGN Ahmed Sule Ningi, praised the professionalism and coordination of the officers involved, stressing the need to maintain sustained pressure on drug networks.
Responding, Marwa commended the operatives for what he described as a decisive blow against drug cartels operating in the FCT.
He directed that the operational strategy be replicated in other high-risk urban centres across the country to further disrupt both the supply and demand chains of illicit drugs.
The agency says the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to sanitise communities, protect vulnerable youths, and strengthen national security by tackling drug-related crimes at their roots.