NDLEA arrests Lagos pastor over cross-border cannabis trafficking

DDM News

(DDM) – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, on allegations of running a cross-border drug trafficking operation.

DDM gathered that the clergyman, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, was picked up on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at his church premises on Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road, Lekki, Lagos. NDLEA operatives reportedly maintained an all-day surveillance before moving in moments after he concluded the evening service.

According to the NDLEA, Prophet Adefolusho had been on the run for months, evading arrest twice before fleeing to Ghana. His capture follows the interception of two large consignments of Ghana Loud — a potent strain of cannabis — allegedly linked to him.

The first consignment, weighing 200kg, was seized at Okun Ajah beach on June 4, while another 700kg was recovered from a delivery van on July 6.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted to ferrying the drugs into Nigeria via waterways from Ghana and confirmed he had been hiding there to avoid capture.

In a separate Lagos operation on Thursday, August 7, NDLEA operatives raided an apartment in Kishi House, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, arresting Benjamin Udo Ukoh and recovering 32 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 15.63kg.

Other nationwide raids within the past week resulted in massive seizures:

• Nasarawa State: 3,093kg of skunk seized from three suspects — Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny (51), Okem Raphael (33), and Chekwube Odo (25) — in New Karu on August 9.
• Kano State: 639 blocks of skunk (359kg) seized from 29-year-old Nura Yahaya in Geza, Kumbotso, on August 8. Umar Adamu Umar (27) arrested with 9kg of Colorado on August 6, and Usman Musa (30) caught with 20,000 tramadol pills and 200 diazepam ampoules at Gadar Tamburawa.
• Gombe State: 550,266 opioid pills seized in Tudun Wadan Pantami on August 8, with suspect Usama Isah arrested. Ibrahim Adamu (23) also caught with 50,000 tramadol capsules on August 9.
• Edo State: On August 6, operatives intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus at Ewu junction, recovering 23,940 tramadol capsules, 1,100 tablets, and 400 pentazocine ampoules. Driver Taiye Jethro was arrested.

The NDLEA says its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continues in schools, religious centres, military formations, and community groups nationwide.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the operatives and urged them to sustain their “balanced approach” to drug control.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, confirmed the arrests and seizures in a statement issued on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

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