NDLEA Raises Alarm Over South Africans Arrested for Drug Trafficking in Nigeria

(NDLEA Officials. Photo Credit: the Guardian Nigeria News)
The NDLEA, is concerned about the growing role of South African nationals in international drug trafficking.

The agency says three South Africans have been arrested in recent operations.

Officers seized large amounts of heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis, popularly called Loud.

Francis Okogun, the agency's Assistant Director for Media and Advocacy, shared the update on Thursday at a joint security briefing in Abuja.

He said the cases have drawn attention because they could give Nigeria a bad image abroad.

Okogun said some foreign nationals are increasingly helping to move illegal drugs through Nigeria to other parts of the world.

Others are bringing drugs into the country.

He said the three people arrested are believed to be working for international drug cartels.

He said investigators are still working to find where the drugs were headed and who is behind the shipments.

He noted that traffickers rarely reveal who sponsors them or where their goods are going.

The update comes amid several cases involving South Africans at Nigerian airports.

In October 2026, the NDLEA arrested Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie at Port Harcourt International Airport.

She was accused of trying to smuggle 32.74 kilograms of synthetic cannabis, known as Thai Loud.

In July 2026, the agency arrested another South African, 38 year old Will Jessica Ann, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Officers allegedly found 5.75 kilograms of heroin hidden in 14 blocks in her luggage.

She was arrested after landing on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha.