NDLEA Raises Alarm Over South Africans in Drug Trafficking

The anti-narcotics agency says three South African nationals have been arrested with heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis, while investigations continue into suspected international cartel connections

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), through its Assistant Director of Media and Advocacy, Francis Okogun, has raised concerns over the involvement of South African nationals in international drug trafficking, following the arrest of three suspects with large quantities of illicit substances in Nigeria, during a security briefing in Abuja on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Also read: Lagos Court Jails Couple Over ₦67.6m Property Fraud

The agency disclosed that the suspects were arrested in separate operations involving the recovery of heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Loud, with investigations underway to establish the destinations of the consignments and identify the international criminal networks behind them.

Okogun said the arrests had attracted particular attention because of the potential damage to Nigeria’s international reputation, especially amid concerns that foreign nationals were increasingly using the country as a transit point for illicit drugs destined for other parts of the world.

He explained that some foreign nationals were also suspected of bringing prohibited substances into Nigeria rather than merely facilitating their onward movement.

“Our findings indicate that some foreign nationals are increasingly becoming involved in facilitating the movement of illicit drugs through Nigeria to other parts of the world. Some are also involved in bringing such substances into the country.

For the period under review, three individuals were arrested,” he said.

The NDLEA spokesperson said the quantities and variety of substances recovered suggested that the suspects might be operating on behalf of international drug trafficking organisations.

“What makes these arrests particularly significant is the large quantities of drugs recovered, including heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis popularly known as Loud.

These individuals are suspected of working on behalf of international drug cartels,” Okogun added.

He noted that identifying the sponsors and intended destinations of drug consignments remained a major challenge in investigations, as suspected traffickers rarely volunteer information about their criminal associates.

“We are therefore conducting painstaking investigations to establish the actual destinations of the drugs and identify the cartels responsible for the shipments,” he said.

The latest disclosure comes against the background of separate arrests involving South African nationals at Nigerian international airports in 2026, including two cases in which substantial quantities of illicit substances were recovered.

In October 2026, NDLEA operatives arrested South African national Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State, after discovering 32.74 kilogrammes of synthetic cannabis, known as Thai Loud, concealed in two travelling bags.

According to the agency, Jessie had travelled from Thailand through Doha aboard a Qatar Airways flight when she was intercepted. She reportedly admitted to having trafficked drugs through other African countries before attempting to expand her operations to Port Harcourt.

The October arrest followed another major interception on July 6, 2026, when NDLEA operatives arrested 38-year-old South African national Will Jessica Ann at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The suspect was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways flight QR1433 from Doha after operatives discovered 14 blocks of heroin weighing 5.75 kilogrammes concealed in two checked-in bags.

She initially denied travelling with checked luggage before officers established that the baggage tags matched those attached to her passport.

The case subsequently resulted in a conviction at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 17, 2026. Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu sentenced her to 15 years on one count and 25 years on another, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently, making the effective prison term 25 years.

The NDLEA also disclosed that intelligence linked her to a transnational trafficking network operating along the Cambodia-South Africa axis.

Her husband and alleged accomplice, Jan Coenraad De Jager, was later arrested in Johannesburg while attempting to traffic 3.2 kilogrammes of illicit drugs to Hong Kong.

The latest disclosure identifies three South African nationals arrested during the period under review, although the agency has not publicly established the identity or specific circumstances surrounding the third arrest.

Marwa declares war against drug abuse in Edo

Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has declared a renewed campaign against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State, calling for stronger collaboration among security agencies, religious organisations, schools and community leaders.

Marwa made the declaration on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during an interactive stakeholder engagement in Benin City themed Addressing the Drug Problem in Edo State.

He said the agency could not tackle the problem independently, stressing that parents, religious institutions, schools and other members of society had important roles to play in preventing substance abuse.

“I am here personally to declare war against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State. Though the NDLEA is the lead agency in the country for the enforcement of drug laws, we cannot do it alone,” Marwa said.

He urged parents and guardians to pay closer attention to their children’s behaviour, encourage early intervention and seek professional assistance whenever they noticed signs of drug abuse.

“We must, as parents, engage early and seek help for our children.

There is no shame in it. This is very important for our children and for the future of our country,” he added.

The NDLEA chairman also disclosed plans to engage Christian and Islamic religious leaders in Benin, urging them to use their platforms to educate worshippers and discourage drug consumption and trafficking.

He encouraged schools across the country to establish drug-free and counselling clubs, while advising students to report to their teachers and school authorities whenever anyone offered them illicit substances.

Marwa also called on members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers to stop the sale of drugs and alcohol in motor parks across Edo State, saying the union had agreed to support the directive.

The stakeholder engagement followed Marwa’s advocacy visit to Benin City on Wednesday, November 4, during which Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, pledged support for the agency’s campaign against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The governor was subsequently decorated as a Grand Ambassador of the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign in recognition of his stated commitment to the initiative

Earlier, the Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, called for stronger cooperation among security agencies, noting that the agency’s operational successes, including arrests and drug seizures, depended significantly on inter-agency collaboration.

He acknowledged the contributions of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and other security organisations, maintaining that a coordinated approach remained essential to addressing the state’s drug problem.

Also read: NDLEA, Australian Police Sign Pact Against Drug Cartels

The developments highlight the two interconnected challenges confronting the NDLEA: disrupting international trafficking networks that use Nigeria as a destination or transit corridor, while strengthening community-based efforts to reduce domestic drug abuse.