The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commenced the New Year with a series of high-profile arrests linked to illicit drug activities across the country. Among those apprehended are Lagos socialite Aishat Elediye, popularly known as “Iya Ruka,” and Nollywood filmmaker Emeka Mbadiwe.
#### Lagos Socialite Arrested with 1.5 Tons of Cannabis
On January 1, 2025, NDLEA operatives stormed the Okota mansion of 61-year-old Aishat Elediye following the interception of a truck carrying 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis. The truck, driven by her employee, Abideen Adio, was stopped in Lagos, leading to the raid on Elediye’s residence.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that Elediye had operated a drug cartel from the Mushin area of Lagos for years while evading arrest. Known publicly as a fabric and shoe importer, Elediye was revealed to have deep ties to the drug underworld. She is also recognized as the “Iyalaje” of a prominent Lagos women’s club, Blessing Sisters.
#### Nollywood Filmmaker Arrested in Drug Shipment Bust
In a separate operation, US-trained filmmaker and motivational speaker Emeka Mbadiwe was arrested at a Lekki hotel. His associate, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, was earlier apprehended at a warehouse in Ajao Estate while collecting a shipment of 33 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis. The shipment, weighing 17.30 kilograms, had arrived from the United States concealed in wooden boxes.
#### Drug-Laced Cupcakes and Ex-Convict Rearrested
In Ilorin, Kwara State, two young individuals, Khadijat Abdulraheem (24) and Ayomide Morakinyo (20), were arrested for producing and selling drug-laced cupcakes to students. A raid on their apartment yielded 42 drug-infused cakes.
Meanwhile, ex-convict Sodade Eniola, previously convicted for drug trafficking, was rearrested for passport racketeering. Eniola, who had paid a fine of N750,000 for his earlier conviction, was found smuggling passports hidden in shoe soles and food items.
#### Other Seizures in Port Harcourt and Kano
In Port Harcourt, a joint operation with Customs intercepted 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup on December 31, 2024. Similarly, in Kano, NDLEA operatives recovered over 149,090 pills of tramadol and exol-5 during a raid in Dala Local Government Area.
The NDLEA has vowed to intensify its efforts to dismantle drug syndicates and curb the distribution of illicit substances across Nigeria.
