In a dramatic operation that has sent shockwaves across religious and law enforcement circles, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the arrest of Adefolusho Olasele, popularly known as Abbas Ajakaiye, the founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church. The clergyman was apprehended over his alleged role in a sophisticated drug trafficking network responsible for multiple shipments of illicit substances from Ghana into Nigeria.
According to NDLEA officials, the arrest followed months of undercover investigations, surveillance, and intelligence sharing between Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities. Preliminary findings suggest that Olasele was allegedly a key figure in coordinating the movement of large consignments of illegal drugs — concealed in commercial goods — through maritime and land routes, with the aim of distributing them across major Nigerian cities.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that the arrest took place during a targeted raid in Lagos, where the suspect was reportedly finalizing arrangements for yet another shipment. Large quantities of narcotics, incriminating documents, and communication devices were recovered from his residence and office.
“This arrest is a significant breakthrough in our ongoing fight against transnational drug syndicates,” Babafemi said. “The suspect exploited his position as a religious leader to mask criminal activities, using the church as a front to gain trust and evade detection. This case is a reminder that drug trafficking networks can hide in unexpected places, and no one is above the law.”
Witnesses described the moment NDLEA operatives stormed the pastor’s premises as “tense and shocking,” with many congregants expressing disbelief. Some church members have insisted on his innocence, claiming that the man they know has always preached against moral decadence. Others, however, admitted to noticing unexplained displays of wealth and lavish spending in recent years.
Sources within the agency revealed that the arrest may lead to the dismantling of a larger syndicate operating across West Africa. Authorities are already pursuing several associates of the suspect, believed to be based in Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria, in connection with the case.
Olasele is currently in NDLEA custody and will face charges related to drug importation, trafficking, and conspiracy once investigations are concluded. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment under Nigeria’s strict narcotics laws.
The arrest has sparked intense public debate on the intersection of religion and crime, with calls for increased scrutiny of religious organizations to prevent them from being used as cover for illegal activities. The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that both high-profile and low-level offenders face justice, regardless of their social or religious standing.
This latest development adds to a growing list of high-profile drug busts in Nigeria, underscoring the agency’s determination to dismantle trafficking networks and curb the inflow of illicit drugs into the country.
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