Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a cleric and his wife at the Seme border area of Lagos after discovering a large quantity of illicit drugs concealed in their vehicle.
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The suspects, identified as Pastor Afolabi Hodonu and his wife, Mrs. Success Hodonu, were apprehended on Thursday during a routine stop-and-search operation at the Gbaji checkpoint along the busy border corridor, says the statement shared on Sunday. Pastor Hodonu is said to be in charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, Sakpo area of Seme border, Badagry.
The couple, who oversee a branch of the Celestial Church in the area, were travelling in a Honda Pilot SUV when they were flagged down by NDLEA officers.
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A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 11 kilograms of skunk hidden in specially constructed compartments within the SUV. Officials said the concealment suggested a deliberate attempt to evade detection at security checkpoints along the busy border corridor.
The arrest of the couple followed earlier intelligence-led operations in the same axis, including the interception of another suspect accused of moving a larger consignment of narcotics from the border into the state. Authorities believe the latest arrest may be linked to a broader trafficking network operating along the Seme route.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the development, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement in drug distribution activities.
Chairman of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the operatives for their vigilance, stressing that the agency remains committed to dismantling drug trafficking networks regardless of the status or cover of those involved.
He reiterated that no individual or group would be spared in the ongoing crackdown on illicit drugs, warning that traffickers who exploit religious or social positions to shield criminal activities would face the full weight of the law.
The NDLEA has continued to intensify surveillance and enforcement operations across key border points and transit routes as part of efforts to curb the flow of illegal substances into the country.
