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 illicit drug shipments into Nigeria.
The dramatic arrest took place on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the church’s premises along Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road, Lekki, Lagos.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, operatives strategically waited until the conclusion of the Sunday worship service before moving in to apprehend the cleric, who had been a fugitive since June.
Babafemi revealed that Prophet Adefolusho was linked to two major seizures of Ghana Loud—a potent strain of cannabis. On June 4, NDLEA operatives intercepted 200kg of the drug at Okun Ajah beach, while another 700kg was recovered from his delivery van on July 6. The suspect allegedly trafficked the drugs via waterways from Ghana into Nigeria and confessed to fleeing to Ghana after narrowly evading arrest twice.
Nationwide Crackdown on Drug Syndicates
Lagos State:
In a follow-up operation on August 7, NDLEA operatives raided an apartment at Kishi House, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, arresting one Benjamin Udo Ukoh. The raid yielded 32 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 15.63kg.
Nasarawa State:
A total of 3,093kg of skunk was seized from three suspects—Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny (51), Okem Raphael (33), and Chekwube Odo (25)—at New Karu on August 9.
On August 8, 639 blocks of skunk weighing 359kg were recovered from Nura Yahaya (29) in Geza, Kumbotso LGA.
On August 6, Umar Adamu Umar (27) was arrested with 9kg of Colorado cannabis along the Zaria–Kano road.
On the same day, Usman Musa (30) was caught with 20,000 tramadol pills and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection at Gadar Tamburawa.
Gombe State:
On August 8, NDLEA operatives stormed an uncompleted building in Tudun Wada, Pantami, recovering 550,266 opioid pills, mostly tramadol. One suspect, Usama Isah, was arrested.
The following day, Ibrahim Adamu (23) was arrested along Potiskum Road, Bajoga, with 50,000 tramadol capsules.
Edo State:
On August 6, operatives intercepted a white Toyota Hiace bus (YAB 5522 K) traveling from Onitsha to Isanlu at Ewu Junction. The search led to the recovery of 23,940 tramadol capsules, 1,100 tablets, and 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection. One suspect, Taiye Jethro, was taken into custody.
NDLEA Sustains WADA Campaign
The past week also saw intensified War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy across schools, religious institutions, workplaces, and communities.
Key activities included lectures at Mind City College, Saki (Oyo State), and Gwagwarwa Primary School, Nasarawa LGA (Kano State); engagement with Nigerian Army officers of the 241 Recce Model Battalion, Nguru (Yobe State); visits to the Nigerian Correctional Service in Ado Ekiti and the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly; and advocacy to the Engine Grinders Association in Gboko (Benue State).
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the Lagos, Nasarawa, Gombe, Kano, and Edo Commands for their successful operations, urging officers nationwide to sustain the momentum and deploy a balanced strategy in the fight against drug trafficking.
