Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, 45, and his wife in Lagos during a routine vehicle inspection. Hidden in secret compartments of their car were 11 kilograms of skunk, a potent form of cannabis. The arrest occurred at a checkpoint in the Sakpo area, where agents grew suspicious during a sweep. Pastor Hodonu is said to lead the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach congregation. Both suspects are now in NDLEA custody as investigations continue into the source and intended distribution network of the illicit drugs. Skunk, known for its high THC concentration, is classified as a prohibited substance under Nigeria's drug laws. The agency disclosed the arrest in a brief statement, confirming the seizure and ongoing interrogation.
A pastor caught smuggling 11kg of skunk challenges the image of religious leaders as moral beacons. If someone in a position of spiritual authority is linked to drug trafficking, public trust in such institutions weakens. This case does not prove widespread clergy involvement in narcotics, but it makes the connection harder to dismiss. For Nigerians, it means scrutiny may now follow not just politicians and police, but pulpits too.
