NDLEA Busts Colorado Cannabis Lab in Ibadan, Seizes Drugs Nationwide
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown, leading to the dismantling of a Colorado synthetic cannabis laboratory in Ibadan and significant seizures across multiple states. According to a statement from the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, operatives arrested a suspected kingpin and an accomplice at the illegal facility in Badeku, Oyo State, on February 7, 2026. The raid yielded eight litres of precursor chemicals, 14 grammes of skunk, and various production equipment.
This major bust forms part of a broader enforcement surge. In parallel operations, a husband and wife were arrested in Imo State with 203 kilograms of skunk, while 420 kilograms were seized in Ondo State, reflecting traffickers’ efforts to move large quantities regionally. In Lagos, a suspect was apprehended with 3.6 kilograms of high-grade synthetic cannabis, including variants known as Canadian Loud and Colorado. Meanwhile, in Enugu State, a dealer was arrested in Asata, Ezeagu, with quantities of skunk, methamphetamine, cocaine, molly, and N457,700 in cash. These actions mirror the scale of concern that prompts international responses, such as when the terrorism: US, France, and other nations coordinate against global threats, though in this case, the focus is domestic interdiction.
The Oyo State Command has reported sustained activity, arresting 280 suspects and securing 43 convictions between January and August 2025. State Commander Olayinka Joe-Fadile emphasized that these arrests target all levels of the drug trade, from traffickers to users, in response to rising abuse. The NDLEA’s vigilance also extends to cross-border trafficking, as seen in January 2026 when a 37-year-old businessman, Ani Onyebuchi Romans, was arrested for attempting to traffic 5.3 kilograms of tramadol to Cameroon, concealed inside mannequins. This incident underscores Nigeria’s challenging role in regional opioid routes, a complex issue that demands the same scrutiny as when agencies like the EFCC reveals how financial networks enable crime. The agency’s coordinated, intelligence-led operations continue to target both local production and international syndicates, demonstrating a resolve as firm as the stance seen when authorities confirm a tanker explosion: no incident is overlooked in the pursuit of public safety.
