Nigerian authorities have arrested 22 Indian crew members of a merchant ship after discovering 31.5 kilograms of cocaine on board. The vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, was searched at the GDNL terminal of Apapa Port in Lagos on January 2, 2026, and the illicit drugs were found concealed in the ship's hatch three.
According to Femi Babafemi, the spokesman for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the ship originated from the Marshall Islands. Those arrested include the ship's Master, Sharma Shashi Bhushan, and 21 other crew members. The other crew members taken into custody are Bharati Manoj Kumar, Bhalerao Nilesh Mukund, Nadar Anthony Macson David, Kolusu Srinivasa Rao, Sagar Gaurav, Francis Anto Beemas Nester, Jagdeep Singh, Jai Parkash, Prabhukhan Singh, Nevage Sandesh Suresh, Pandey Prashant, Nittu Anand, Akash Babu, Dasari Raju, Reddy Nandika Sanjeeba, Rana Nivesh, Melethil Insaf Rahman, Barla Chantanya Krishna, Ghosh Arijit, Mondal Raihan, and Gangwar Shiv Om.
The NDLEA has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and protecting Nigeria from the consequences of substance abuse and the illicit drug trade.
In November, the NDLEA also arrested 20 Filipino sailors who were allegedly transporting at least 20 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil to the same port. Earlier in November, the agency reported that it was collaborating with anti-drug agencies from the US and the UK to investigate a cartel responsible for importing 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, which was discovered in a container at the Lagos port.
In other operations, NDLEA agents in Lagos intercepted shipments of Ketamine, Ecstasy, and Tramadol pills that were concealed in coffee sachets and book parcels destined for Zambia and the United Kingdom. These seizures occurred on December 24 and 29, 2025.
The NDLEA has also reported the arrest of Fatima Ilori, a wanted female drug kingpin known as "Mama Kerosine," in Ibadan. The 65-year-old was apprehended after 238.4kg of skunk, a cannabis strain, was linked to her. Another female suspect, Olusanya Abosede, 35, was also arrested.
In Borno State, authorities disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs to insurgents, arresting two suppliers and seizing large quantities of illicit substances. One suspect was arrested with 9,150 ampoules of Tramadol Injection along the Maiduguri-Gamboru Ngala road, while the other was apprehended with 34,000 capsules of Tramadol at Biu market.
Nigeria has long been considered a key hub for drug trafficking and production, with drugs being transported to Europe and other African countries. The NDLEA's recent operations highlight the country's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse.
