NDLEA nabs notorious bandit drug lord after three-week manhunt, busts codeine factory in Abia
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Abdullateef Fowewe
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 33-year-old Mohammed Sani, alias Gamboli, a key supplier of illicit drugs to bandits in Niger State’s Shiroro local government area, three weeks after he evaded capture at his home.
In a statement issued Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency detailed the dramatic chase.
“Three weeks after escaping arrest at his home in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, Shiroro local government area of Niger state, a notorious supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in the area, 33-year-old Mohammed Sani (alias Gamboli) has been arrested by operatives at his hideout.”
The operation began on November 20, 2025, when NDLEA raided Gamboli’s house in Anguwan Makera, seizing 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a potent cannabis strain.
Though he fled, intelligence led officers to his drug joint in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, on December 11, where “the manhunt for him eventually paid off.”
Intelligence reports describe Gamboli as “a major supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Shiroro local government area,” highlighting the nexus between narcotics trafficking and insecurity.
In a related crackdown, NDLEA officers in Abia State raided a clandestine codeine syrup factory on the same day in Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, Osisioma local government area.
They recovered “a total of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 1,152.2kg,” dismantling a major production site.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the efforts of commands in Niger, Abia, Oyo, Enugu, Seme, Ogun, Ondo, Gombe, Apapa, and Edo.
“While commending the officers and men for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity, he urged nationwide teams to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control efforts,” the statement added.
