Operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force have dismantled a suspected multi billion naira drug trafficking syndicate in Lagos following a coordinated raid that led to the seizure of illicit substances valued at about ₦7.8 billion.
The operation, which involved the Special Protection Unit and divisional police detectives, uncovered hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud concealed inside a residential apartment in Mende, Maryland area of Lagos.
Police authorities described the raid as one of the most significant anti narcotics breakthroughs recorded by the command in recent months.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of several suspects, including the alleged kingpin, 41 year old Eke Henry Ifeanyi, who was apprehended at the scene.
Investigators disclosed that the illicit drugs were recovered directly from the suspect’s residence after weeks of covert intelligence gathering and surveillance.
The police said the operation was executed through collaboration between the Special Protection Unit and Zone 2 Headquarters under strategic guidance from the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Olohundare Jimoh, also supervised the operation alongside tactical teams deployed for the sting mission.
Addressing journalists during an inspection of the recovered exhibits on Saturday, AIG Jimoh said the suspect had been under police watch for several months before operatives moved in on May 19, 2026.
According to him, intelligence reports linked the suspect and his associates to an extensive drug distribution network operating within Lagos and beyond.
Jimoh disclosed that the suspect allegedly attempted to compromise the operation by offering a ₦500 million bribe to the commander of the Special Protection Unit.
He said the suspect reportedly begged officers to suspend the operation temporarily to allow him contact members of his network and move the seized consignment away from the apartment.
The senior police officer, however, revealed that the offer was rejected instantly by the SPU commander.
He added that the attempted bribery was immediately documented in line with official procedure and forwarded for further investigation.
Jimoh said the development reflected the growing culture of accountability and professionalism being entrenched within the Nigeria Police Force.
He explained that the success of the operation underscored the importance of integrating specialized tactical units with divisional police formations across communities.
According to him, the Special Protection Unit played a critical role in securing the environment and preventing any escape or destruction of evidence during the raid.
He further noted that the operation was intelligence driven and carefully coordinated after months of technical surveillance and discreet monitoring.
The AIG maintained that the professionalism displayed by the officers involved demonstrated the impact of ongoing police reforms under the current leadership of the force.
Reacting to the operation, IGP Disu said the successful bust validated the ongoing redeployment of personnel to operational divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun states.
The police chief stressed that effective policing must remain people centered and community driven to achieve lasting security results.
According to him, specialized Units must continue to work closely with conventional divisional teams to strengthen intelligence gathering and rapid response operations.
Disu particularly commended the SPU commander for rejecting the ₦500 million bribe despite the enormous pressure allegedly mounted by the suspect.
He stated that the action reflected the level of discipline, integrity and professionalism expected from officers serving within the force.
The IGP assured Nigerians that the police leadership would continue to reward integrity while ensuring accountability among officers at all levels.
Police authorities confirmed that all exhibits recovered during the operation had been documented and secured as investigations continue into the wider network behind the illicit drug trade.
The command also disclosed that the suspects remain in custody while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate believed to have escaped arrest.