LAGOS, NIGERIA — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, over his alleged role in trafficking multiple tonnes of Ghana Loud cannabis into Nigeria.
The pastor, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, was taken into custody on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at his church along Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road, Lekki. According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, operatives waited until the end of the Sunday worship service before making the arrest. Olasele had been on NDLEA’s wanted list since June, after two major cannabis seizures — 200kg at Okun Ajah beach (June 4) and 700kg in a delivery van (July 6) — were traced to him.
Lagos: 15.63kg of Canadian Loud seized in Ikoyi; suspect Benjamin Udo Ukoh arrested.
Nasarawa: 3,093kg of skunk recovered in New Karu from three suspects — Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny, Okem Raphael, and Chekwube Odo.
Kano: 359kg skunk seized from Nura Yahaya; 20,000 tramadol pills and 200 diazepam ampoules from Usman Musa; 9kg Colorado cannabis from Umar Adamu Umar.
Gombe: 550,266 opioid pills recovered in Tudun Wada, Pantami; Usama Isah arrested. 50,000 tramadol capsules seized from Ibrahim Adamu in Bajoga.
Edo: 23,940 tramadol capsules, 1,100 tablets, and 400 pentazocine injections seized at Ewu Junction; Taiye Jethro arrested.
Nigerians React to Pastor’s Arrest
The arrest has sparked a wave of online commentary, with many Nigerians expressing shock and outrage at a religious leader’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
💬 “A pastor caught with over 900kg of cannabis? This is a disgrace to the church and Christianity as a whole.” – Instagram user @TruthIsBitter
💬 “NDLEA should dig deeper. If a man of God can run a drug cartel, imagine how many others are hiding under religion.” – Twitter user @NaijaObserver
💬 “This is why I don’t trust all these flashy Lekki pastors. NDLEA should check their bank accounts too.” – Facebook comment on Vanguard News page
💬 “Kudos to NDLEA! If they can arrest even a so-called prophet, then nobody is above the law.” – X (Twitter) user @JusticeFirst
Others, however, questioned the public spectacle of arresting him during church service, with some arguing it could have been handled privately to avoid embarrassing the congregation.
