By Bavoriat Clara
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested the Founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, for allegedly masterminding multiple shipments of illicit drugs into Nigeria.
The suspect, who had been on the run for months, was apprehended on Sunday, 3rd August 2025, at his church located in Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road, Lekki, Lagos. NDLEA operatives had maintained surveillance at the premises until the conclusion of the Sunday service before effecting the arrest.
A statement by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the cleric had twice evaded arrest in June before fleeing to Ghana. He was linked to the seizure of 200kg of “Ghana Loud” cannabis at Okun Ajah Beach on 4th June and 700kg of the same substance from his delivery van on 6th July. The suspect reportedly confessed to smuggling the consignments through waterways from Ghana into Nigeria.
In a separate operation in Lagos on Thursday, 7th August, NDLEA operatives raided an apartment at Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, arresting Benjamin Udo Ukoh and seizing 15.63kg of Canadian Loud cannabis.
In Nasarawa State, 3,093kg of skunk was recovered on Saturday, 9th August, from three suspects: Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny (51), Okem Raphael (33), and Chekwube Odo (25) at New Karu.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Nura Yahaya (29) on Friday, 8th August, with 639 blocks of skunk weighing 359kg, and Umar Adamu Umar (27) on Wednesday, 6th August, with 9kg of synthetic cannabis known as Colorado. Another suspect, Usman Musa (30), was intercepted with 20,000 tramadol pills and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection at Gadar Tamburawa on 8th August.
In Gombe State, a raid on an uncompleted building in Tudun Wadan Pantami on Friday, 8th August, led to the recovery of 550,266 opioid pills, mainly tramadol, and the arrest of Usama Isah. The following day, Ibrahim Adamu (23) was arrested along Potiskum Road, Bajoga, with 50,000 tramadol capsules.
In Edo State, operatives on Wednesday, 6th August, intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus at Ewu Junction, recovering 23,940 tramadol capsules, 1,100 tablets of the same drug, and 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection. The driver, identified as Taiye Jethro, was arrested.
The agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities nationwide, delivering lectures in schools, military formations, trade associations, and correctional facilities in Oyo, Kano, Yobe, Benue, Ekiti, and Anambra States.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the Lagos, Nasarawa, Gombe, Kano, and Edo Commands for their arrests and seizures, urging officers to maintain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control through enforcement and public enlightenment.
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