After months on the run, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele — also known as Abbas Ajakaiye — the founder of The Turn of Mercy Church, for allegedly masterminding multiple cannabis shipments into Nigeria.
The dramatic arrest took place on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at his church on Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road, Lekki. NDLEA officers had laid in wait since morning, moving in as soon as the evening service ended and the pastor stepped outside.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, Olasele had twice evaded arrest before fleeing to Ghana in June. He was linked to two major seizures of “Ghana Loud” — a potent strain of cannabis — totaling 900 kilograms. The first bust, 200kg, was made on June 4 at Okun Ajah beach, while another 700kg was intercepted from his delivery van on July 6.
In his confession, the pastor admitted smuggling the drugs from Ghana via waterways and hiding abroad after previous close calls with law enforcement.
The arrest was part of a nationwide sweep that also saw NDLEA uncover major drug hauls in Lagos, Nasarawa, Kano, Gombe, and Edo states:
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Lagos: On August 7, NDLEA raided an Ikoyi apartment, arresting Benjamin Udo Ukoh with 15.63kg of Canadian Loud cannabis.
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Nasarawa: On August 9, officers seized 3,093kg of skunk cannabis from three suspects in New Karu.
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Kano: Arrests included Nura Yahaya with 359kg of skunk and Umar Adamu Umar with 9kg of Colorado cannabis. Another man, Usman Musa, was caught with 20,000 tramadol pills and 200 diazepam ampoules.
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Gombe: Raids netted over 550,000 tramadol pills and the arrest of two suspects on August 8 and 9.
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Edo: A bus traveling from Onitsha to Kogi was stopped with nearly 25,000 tramadol capsules and other opioids; suspect Taiye Jethro was detained.
Alongside the arrests, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) outreach in schools, religious centers, workplaces, and communities nationwide.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the coordinated efforts of the commands involved and urged officers to sustain the balanced approach of enforcement and prevention.
