Popular Lagos Fabric Merchant Arrested for Drug Trafficking

Popular Lagos Fabric Merchant Arrested for Drug Trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has started the year with a high-profile arrest, capturing 61-year-old Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, a notorious drug kingpin and Lagos socialite, on January 1, 2025. Her arrest occurred at her mansion in the Okota area of Lagos, following the interception of a truckload of illicit drugs linked to her staff.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Alhaja Ajoke, known in the drug underworld as "Iya Ruka," had evaded capture for years while leading one of the drug cartels based in the Mushin area of Lagos. Her true identity remained a mystery until recent intelligence efforts unveiled her activities.

On the day of her arrest, NDLEA operatives intercepted a white Isuzu truck driven by her employee, 41-year-old Abideen Adio, which was carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis. Following this interception, the operatives raided her residence at 33 Adebayo Oyewole Street, off Ago Palace Way in Okota, where she was apprehended.

While Alhaja Ajoke presented herself as a legitimate businesswoman importing fabrics and shoes from China, it was revealed that she was at the center of a massive illicit drug trade. Additionally, she is recognized as the Iyalaje of the Blessing Sisters, an influential social club for women in Lagos.