The 40-year-old suspect was intercepted on Thursday, November 6, 2025, while attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
According to NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Azeez had previously faced drug-related charges in the United Kingdom but jumped bail and fled to Nigeria.
According to NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Azeez had previously faced drug-related charges in the United Kingdom but jumped bail and fled to Nigeria.
Soon after arriving in Lagos, he allegedly set up a clandestine laboratory in Lekki for the production of Colorado, a potent synthetic cannabis strain.
Babafemi said, “The suspect had been arrested abroad but escaped to Nigeria. He established a laboratory in Lekki to produce Colorado and other illicit substances. Our operatives have been monitoring the facility for some time.”
At around 6:30 a.m. on November 6, NDLEA officers apprehended Azeez at the airport. He was taken to his laboratory at 17 Vincent Eku Street, Ogombo, Lekki, where the Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring dismantled equipment, precursor chemicals, and seized 148.3 kilograms of Colorado. Another man, Abideen Kekere-Ekun (43), was also arrested at the scene.
In related operations, the NDLEA, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, intercepted several shipments of illicit drugs across the country.
Babafemi said, “The suspect had been arrested abroad but escaped to Nigeria. He established a laboratory in Lekki to produce Colorado and other illicit substances. Our operatives have been monitoring the facility for some time.”
At around 6:30 a.m. on November 6, NDLEA officers apprehended Azeez at the airport. He was taken to his laboratory at 17 Vincent Eku Street, Ogombo, Lekki, where the Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring dismantled equipment, precursor chemicals, and seized 148.3 kilograms of Colorado. Another man, Abideen Kekere-Ekun (43), was also arrested at the scene.
In related operations, the NDLEA, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, intercepted several shipments of illicit drugs across the country.
On November 7, authorities seized 105.5 kilograms of Molly and 500 grams of methamphetamine at Sifax Bonded Terminal, Okota, Lagos.
In Niger State, Ibrahim Mohammed (35) was arrested with 87,000 tramadol pills and 72 kilograms of cannabis, while a Toyota Corolla carrying 34,520 tramadol capsules destined for Cameroon was intercepted along the Zaki-Biam–Wukari Road. The driver, Aliyu Samaila (25), was arrested.
Further arrests included Felix Chinedu (28) in Taraba State with 15,020 tramadol capsules, and Chukwunonso Anieze (40) in Abuja, following the seizure of 7.6 kilograms of Loud cannabis along the Okene–Lokoja Highway. Three more suspects — Olayide Oyidiran, Abdulsalam Abdulsalam, and Opeyemi Tijjani — were caught transporting 769 kilograms of skunk cannabis from Lagos to Kano.
In Edo and Bayelsa States, elderly suspects were also apprehended: James Ugbedo (73) had 1,459.75 kilograms of cannabis destroyed on his farm, while Comfort Odudu (70) was arrested in Yenagoa with 5 kilograms.
Babafemi emphasized that the NDLEA is intensifying nationwide operations to dismantle drug trafficking networks and illegal laboratories amid growing production and smuggling of synthetic drugs.
The arrests signal a strong commitment by Nigerian authorities to curb drug crimes and protect citizens from the dangers posed by synthetic substances.
In Niger State, Ibrahim Mohammed (35) was arrested with 87,000 tramadol pills and 72 kilograms of cannabis, while a Toyota Corolla carrying 34,520 tramadol capsules destined for Cameroon was intercepted along the Zaki-Biam–Wukari Road. The driver, Aliyu Samaila (25), was arrested.
Further arrests included Felix Chinedu (28) in Taraba State with 15,020 tramadol capsules, and Chukwunonso Anieze (40) in Abuja, following the seizure of 7.6 kilograms of Loud cannabis along the Okene–Lokoja Highway. Three more suspects — Olayide Oyidiran, Abdulsalam Abdulsalam, and Opeyemi Tijjani — were caught transporting 769 kilograms of skunk cannabis from Lagos to Kano.
In Edo and Bayelsa States, elderly suspects were also apprehended: James Ugbedo (73) had 1,459.75 kilograms of cannabis destroyed on his farm, while Comfort Odudu (70) was arrested in Yenagoa with 5 kilograms.
Babafemi emphasized that the NDLEA is intensifying nationwide operations to dismantle drug trafficking networks and illegal laboratories amid growing production and smuggling of synthetic drugs.
The arrests signal a strong commitment by Nigerian authorities to curb drug crimes and protect citizens from the dangers posed by synthetic substances.
0 Comments