Society Editor
By Tolu Adesuwa Igiehon
In a dramatic operation early Sunday morning, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) stormed a high-profile party at Proxy Nightclub (7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos), arresting more than 100 individuals — including recognised socialite and club owner Mike “Pretty Mike” Eze Nwalie Nwogu and former Big Brother Naija housemate Tuoyo Ideh — amid a “drug-themed party” where hard substances were reportedly being used and trafficked.
What Happened
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According to NDLEA’s statement by spokesperson Femi Babafemi, operatives had been embedded at the venue from about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, 25 October, and carried out the raid at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, 26 October.
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Over 100 suspects were taken into custody for screening, including Pretty Mike (the club owner).
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The agency said it recovered “cartons of illicit substances, including Loud (a high-grade strain of cannabis) and laughing gas (nitrous oxide)” from both the party participants and the club’s store.
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Tuoyo, who was among those arrested, took to social media to describe the operation:
“I have been arrested by the NDLEA from a nightclub in Lagos for basically nothing at all since around 4 a.m. They made us sit down like criminals … We are over 150 people … taken to NDLEA headquarters Ikoyi … They came with guns inside the club and told everyone to lie down.”
Broader Drug-Trafficking Context
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The raid on Proxy Nightclub is part of a broader crackdown by NDLEA across Nigeria in recent weeks. The agency revealed other major seizures including:
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70 parcels of cocaine (3.60 kg) concealed in cocoa-butter formula body cream containers bound for the UK.
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21,950 capsules of tramadol 250 mg concealed inside a 100-litre water heater in Kwara State.
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162.2 kg of “skunk” cannabis seized on the Okene-Lokoja highway in Kogi State.
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NDLEA Chair/CEO Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the operations and urged continued efforts in the nationwide drug-control campaign.
Why This Matters
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Nightlife & substance abuse synergy: The incident highlights how high-profile nightlife venues may serve as hubs for illicit substance use and distribution — prompting questions of oversight and regulation in Lagos’s club scene.
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Celebrity involvement: The arrest of public figures like Pretty Mike and Tuoyo draws media attention and public scrutiny, raising the stakes for accountability in entertainment-industry spaces.
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State vs private rights: Tuoyo’s claim of being “arrested for doing nothing” raises concerns about procedural fairness and due process — especially given the sweeping nature of the arrest (150+ people detained).
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Image of Lagos nightlife: For regulators, this may trigger closer inspections of clubs, imports of substances (like laughing gas), and the regulatory environment around entertainment venues.
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Anti-drug messaging: The NDLEA is signalling that its operations increasingly include late-night, urban party scenes in addition to traditional trafficking routes.
Key Questions Going Forward
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What will happen to those arrested — will there be charges, or are they being held for screening only?
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How will Pretty Mike and Tuoyo respond — will there be public statements or legal challenges?
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Will Proxy Nightclub face licensing or regulatory sanctions?
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Will this raid trigger new regulations (or enforcement) on nightclubs in Lagos and nationally?
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How exactly were the illicit substances being stored/distributed at the club and who are the broader suppliers behind them?
The NDLEA’s raid at Proxy Nightclub and the arrest of high-profile figures are more than a headline — they underscore a convergence of nightlife culture, celebrity status, and the illicit-substance economy. The next days will reveal whether the operation leads to sustained accountability, regulatory shifts or simply remains a momentary spectacle.
