NDLEA: South African Drug Traffickers Arrested in Nigeria, Heroin Seized

• The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed alarm over the rising involvement of South African nationals in international drug trafficking in Nigeria.
• Three South Africans were recently arrested, leading to the seizure of substantial amounts of heroin, cocaine, and synthetic cannabis.
• Specific arrests include Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie with 32.74 kg of synthetic cannabis and Will Jessica Ann with 5.75 kg of heroin.
• NDLEA officials suspect the arrested individuals are working for international drug cartels, with ongoing investigations to trace drug origins and destinations.
• NDLEA Chairman Brig Gen Buba Marwa has initiated a broad anti-drug campaign in Edo State, calling for widespread societal involvement to combat the issue.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recently intensified its focus on foreign nationals implicated in drug trafficking within Nigeria, particularly highlighting the increasing involvement of South African citizens.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recently intensified its focus on foreign nationals implicated in drug trafficking within Nigeria, particularly highlighting the increasing involvement of South African citizens. This comes after the arrest of three South Africans in separate operations, leading to significant seizures of illicit substances including heroin, cocaine, and synthetic cannabis, often referred to as Loud.

Among the notable arrests, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, a South African woman, was apprehended in October 2026 at Port Harcourt International Airport. She was allegedly attempting to smuggle 32.74 kilograms of synthetic cannabis, specifically Thai Loud. Earlier, on July 6, 2026, NDLEA operatives at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja detained 38-year-old South African national Will Jessica Ann. She was found with 5.75 kilograms of heroin, meticulously concealed within 14 blocks inside her luggage, during the inward clearance of passengers arriving on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha.

Francis Okogun, the Assistant Director for Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, addressed these developments during a joint security briefing in Abuja, emphasizing the agency's concern. Okogun clarified that the attention garnered by these arrests stems from the potential for a negative international perception of Nigeria. Agency findings indicate a growing trend where foreign nationals are increasingly facilitating the movement of illicit drugs both into and through Nigeria, destined for other global locations.

The substantial quantities of drugs recovered in these operations underscore the severity of the issue, with authorities suspecting the arrested individuals are operating on behalf of international drug cartels. Okogun noted the inherent difficulty in obtaining information from traffickers regarding their sponsors or the ultimate destinations of their consignments. Consequently, the NDLEA is conducting thorough investigations to ascertain the actual recipients of the drugs and to identify the criminal organizations orchestrating these shipments.

In parallel with these specific enforcement actions, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa, launched a comprehensive campaign against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State. Speaking at an interactive stakeholder engagement in Benin, Marwa declared a "war" on illicit drugs, urging religious bodies within the state to actively participate in this crucial fight.

The event, themed ‘Addressing the Drug Problem in Edo State,’ brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, National Youth Service Corps, Civil Society Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, and community leaders. Marwa underscored the necessity of a society-wide effort, stressing that all stakeholders must collaborate and unite their efforts to effectively combat and overcome the pervasive drug problem.

This development signals heightened enforcement by the NDLEA against foreign nationals, particularly South Africans, involved in drug trafficking in Nigeria. Lawyers should advise clients on increased scrutiny for cross-border activities and travel to/from Nigeria, emphasizing the severe penalties for drug offenses and the potential for international investigations targeting cartels. Compliance officers should review internal protocols for identifying and mitigating risks associated with international supply chains or personnel movements that could be exploited for illicit drug movement.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH