Wanted Drug Kingpin Arrested At Lagos Airport While Attempting Umrah Trip, NDLEA Seizes 148.3kg Of Illicit Substances
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 40-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Yussuf Abayomi Azeez, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, while he was preparing to depart the country for Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
His arrest, which took place around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, followed months of surveillance and intelligence tracking on his alleged drug trafficking operations.
According to the NDLEA, Azeez had previously been arrested in the United Kingdom for drug-related offences but reportedly absconded after being granted bail. Upon returning to Nigeria, he is alleged to have established a clandestine drug production facility in the Ogombo area of Lekki, Lagos, specializing in the manufacture of “Colorado,” a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, among other illicit substances.
Following his arrest at the airport, NDLEA operatives escorted Azeez to the suspected production site located at 17 Vincent Eku Street, Ogombo, Lekki, which had already been under watch. A second suspect, identified as 43-year-old Abideen Kekere-Ekun, was also apprehended at the location.
A search of the premises led to the seizure of 148.3 kilograms of processed “Colorado”, along with precursor chemicals and equipment used in the production process. The facility was dismantled on site.
The NDLEA noted that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt local drug production networks and prevent the circulation of synthetic substances in the country. The agency also confirmed that investigations remain ongoing, and additional charges are expected to follow.
The NDLEA has urged members of the public to continue providing useful information that can support its campaigns against illegal drug production and trafficking.
