The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, over his alleged involvement in trafficking large consignments of cannabis from Ghana into Nigeria.
Olasele, who had been on the run since June 2025, was apprehended on Sunday, August 3, at his church in Okun Ajah, Lekki, Lagos. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect had been wanted in connection with two major seizures of Ghana Loudβa potent strain of cannabisβsmuggled through the waterways.
According to Babafemi, the pastor was linked to 200kg of cannabis seized at Okun Ajah Beach on June 4 and another 700kg recovered from his delivery van on July 6. He reportedly fled to Ghana after evading arrest twice. During interrogation, Olasele allegedly admitted to transporting the drugs into Nigeria via the waterways and claimed he had planned to expand his operations before being caught.
The NDLEA said the arrest was part of a wider crackdown on drug trafficking nationwide. In Lagos, 15.63kg of Canadian Loud was seized from an apartment in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, leading to the arrest of Benjamin Ukoh. In Nasarawa State, operatives recovered 3,093kg of skunk from three suspects in New Karu. In Kano, 359kg of skunk was seized from Nura Yahaya in Kumbotso, while Umar Adamu Umar was caught along the Zaria-Kano road with 9kg of Colorado.
In Gombe State, operatives seized 550,266 opioid pills in Tudun Wadan Pantami, arresting Usama Isah, and intercepted Ibrahim Adamu in Bajoga, Funakaye LGA, with 50,000 tramadol capsules. In Edo State, NDLEA officers stopped a Toyota Hiace bus at Ewu junction in Esan Central LGA, recovering tramadol, tablets, and pentazocine ampoules from driver Taiye Jethro.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), commended the officers, saying the arrests and seizures demonstrate the agencyβs determination to dismantle criminal drug networks in Nigeria and to track and prosecute offenders regardless of how long they evade capture.
Source: https://www.asabametro.com/
