LAGOS, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has announced the arrest of Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, a 61-year-old Lagos socialite and alleged drug kingpin, in a New Year operation that uncovered her connection to a significant drug trafficking syndicate.
Popularly known in social circles as ‘Alhaja Ajoke’ and in the drug underworld as ‘Iya Ruka,’ the suspect was apprehended in her mansion in the Okota area of Lagos.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, her arrest followed the interception of a truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis.
The driver, identified as 41-year-old Abideen Adio, was also taken into custody.
“On the surface, Alhaja Ajoke is a businesswoman importing fabrics and shoes from China,” Babafemi said.
“However, she has been leading one of the drug cartels operating out of Mushin, Lagos, and remained elusive for years.”
Arrests Across the Country
The NDLEA also detailed other operations, including the arrest of Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe, a US-trained filmmaker and motivational speaker, in his Lekki hotel room.
Mbadiwe’s arrest followed the detention of his associate, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Lagos, where 33 parcels of high-potency cannabis (“Loud”) weighing 17.30 kilograms were seized.
In Kwara State, operatives arrested two young individuals, Khadijat Abdulraheem, 24, and Ayomide Morakinyo, 20, for producing and selling drug-laced cupcakes to students near the University of Ilorin.
A raid on their apartment yielded 42 pieces of the illicit cupcakes.
Additionally, Sodade Sunday Eniola, an ex-convict previously jailed for drug trafficking, was apprehended again at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) for passport racketeering.
Investigations linked him and three accomplices to 52 passports concealed in shipments headed to Canada, Russia, and other countries.
Massive Seizures and Local Raids
In Rivers State, NDLEA officers intercepted 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup in two containers during a joint operation at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex.
Similarly, a raid in Kano’s Dala Local Government Area uncovered 149,090 pills of tramadol and exol-5, leading to the arrest of local dealer Ismail Muhammad.
War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Efforts
The NDLEA highlighted its continued public outreach under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
Sensitisation efforts included lectures at markets and places of worship in states such as Ekiti and Jigawa, aimed at reducing drug demand and raising awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, praised the agency’s officers for their commitment and balanced approach to reducing drug supply and demand.
“Their operational successes across the country demonstrate our resolve to protect Nigerians from the devastating effects of drug trafficking and abuse,” Marwa stated.