Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 33-year-old Mohammed Sani, popularly known as Gamboli, a major supplier of illicit drugs to armed bandits terrorising Shiroro and surrounding communities in Niger State.

Gamboli, who evaded arrest for three weeks, was finally apprehended on December 11, 2025, at his hideout in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, following weeks of intelligence-led surveillance. Earlier, NDLEA had recovered 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a potent cannabis strain, from his residence during a raid on November 20.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, stated that Gamboli supplied drugs that fuelled banditry in the area. “Intelligence reports had indicated that Gamboli is a major supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Shiroro Local Government Area,” he said.

The arrest is part of a broader nationwide NDLEA crackdown. In Abia State, officers raided a codeine syrup-manufacturing factory in Osisioma LGA, seizing 9,015 bottles weighing 1,152.2kg. In Enugu, Ossai Emeka (45) and Enoje Agada (40) were arrested with 7.2kg and 94.6kg of skunk, respectively.

NDLEA also seized drugs in Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, and Gombe States, with confiscated substances including skunk, synthetic cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, and codeine syrup. Some consignments were intercepted at courier facilities in Lagos, destined for the United States, Canada, and Sweden.

“The operations demonstrate NDLEA’s commitment to disrupting drug supply networks that sustain criminality across Nigeria,” Babafemi said.