The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, over his alleged involvement in a major cross-border drug trafficking network.
The clergyman was arrested on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at his church on Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road, Lekki, Lagos. NDLEA operatives reportedly laid siege to the premises all day before moving in immediately after the evening service, taking him into custody.
Months on the Run
According to the NDLEA, Prophet Adefolusho had been on the run for months, allegedly fleeing to Ghana after twice evading arrest. His capture follows the seizure of two major cannabis consignments linked to him:
200kg of Ghana Loud intercepted at Okun Ajah beach on June 4.
700kg of Ghana Loud recovered from his delivery van on July 6.
In his statement to investigators, the pastor allegedly admitted smuggling drugs into Nigeria via waterways from Ghana and confirmed hiding in the West African nation to avoid arrest.
Nationwide NDLEA Operations Yield More Arrests
In a separate Lagos operation on Thursday, August 7, NDLEA raided an apartment at Kishi House, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, arresting Benjamin Udo Ukoh and recovering 32 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 15.63kg.
Further raids across the country in the past week led to massive drug seizures:
Nasarawa State (Aug 9) – 3,093kg of skunk seized from Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny (51), Okem Raphael (33), and Chekwube Odo (25) in New Karu.
Kano State (Aug 8) – 639 blocks of skunk weighing 359kg seized from Nura Yahaya (29) in Geza, Kumbotso; other arrests include suspects caught with Colorado, tramadol, and diazepam.
Gombe State (Aug 8-9) – 550,266 opioid pills, mainly tramadol, seized; suspects include Usama Isah and Ibrahim Adamu (23).
Edo State (Aug 6) – Toyota Hiace bus intercepted at Ewu Junction with tramadol capsules, tablets, and pentazocine; driver Taiye Jethro arrested.
NDLEA Commends Operatives
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the operatives for their dedication, urging them to maintain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control through both enforcement and sensitisation campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, confirmed the arrests and seizures in an official statement on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
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