NDLEA Subjects Nigerian Businessman to Surgery to Expel 81 Wraps of Cocaine Stuck in His Stomach

A 59-year-old businessman, Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe, has undergone a life-saving surgery to extract 57 out of 81 pellets of cocaine that remained stuck in his stomach for seven days. Igbokwe was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Sunday, January 26, 2025, while returning from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

NDLEA officials subjected Igbokwe to a body scan, which revealed illicit substances in his system. Further investigation showed that he had ingested the cocaine pellets on January 23 while in Addis Ababa before attempting to smuggle them into Beirut, Lebanon, for a fee of $3,000. However, his plans fell apart when Lebanese authorities denied him entry due to insufficient funds, forcing him to return to Addis Ababa and then proceed to Lagos with the illicit consignment still in his bowels.

Medical Emergency and Life-Saving Surgery

After his arrest, Igbokwe was placed under excretion observation at NDLEA’s medical facility. Over five days, he managed to expel only 24 of the 81 wraps of cocaine in his system, despite initial medical interventions at both the NDLEA clinic and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. However, the situation became critical as he struggled to pass the remaining pellets, posing a severe risk to his health.

With time running out and the possibility of a fatal overdose, doctors at LASUTH had no choice but to perform an exploratory laparotomy, a major surgical procedure to remove the remaining drugs from his stomach. The surgery was conducted after his wife and brother provided the necessary consent. A total of 1.943 kilograms of cocaine was extracted from his body, ultimately saving his life.

NDLEA Intercepts 2,000kg of Ghanaian Loud at Lagos Beach

While the agency was dealing with Igbokwe’s case, NDLEA operatives carried out a significant drug bust at Lekki Beach in Lagos on Wednesday, January 29. Acting on intelligence, officers intercepted a massive consignment of 2,000 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a highly potent strain of cannabis originating from Ghana. Two suspects, Sunday Awoyede and Christopher Cletus, were apprehended while attempting to load the illicit drugs onto a truck. Both suspects, along with the seized consignment and vehicle, were taken into custody for further investigation.

Additionally, in a separate operation conducted on the same day, NDLEA officers arrested another suspect, Lawal Idris Olasunkanmi, at his base in Mushin, Lagos. He was found in possession of 55 kilograms of skunk, another highly potent form of cannabis. His arrest adds to the growing list of drug-related offenses NDLEA is actively combating across the country.

NDLEA’s Ongoing Battle Against Drug Trafficking

The NDLEA’s recent successes highlight the agency’s relentless fight against drug trafficking and smuggling networks operating within Nigeria. With the arrest of Igbokwe and the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs, the agency continues to dismantle drug syndicates and prevent dangerous narcotics from reaching Nigerian streets.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has reiterated the agency’s commitment to a drug-free Nigeria, urging citizens to support the fight against illicit drugs. He warned traffickers that no matter how sophisticated their methods are, NDLEA operatives remain vigilant and will continue to disrupt their illegal activities.

NDLEA Intensifies War Against Drug Abuse with Nationwide Sensitization Campaigns

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has ramped up its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, conducting extensive sensitization lectures and advocacy visits across Nigeria over the past week. These activities aimed to educate students, workers, religious groups, and community leaders about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to reducing both the supply and demand for illicit substances.

As part of the campaign, NDLEA officials delivered WADA lectures at several educational institutions, including Grand Light Model School, Ata Udosung, Akwa Ibom; Community Grammar School, Iganna, Oyo State; Ebute Afuye Primary School, Epe, Lagos State; Akwakuma Girls Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State; and Federal Government College, Kebbe, Sokoto State. These sessions provided students and teachers with vital information on the health risks of drug abuse and the legal consequences of drug-related offenses.

Beyond schools, the campaign extended to traditional institutions. The Kogi State Command of NDLEA visited the palace of the Attah of Igala, HRH Mathew Opaluwa Oguche, in Idah, where discussions centered on collaborative efforts to combat drug abuse within local communities. Similar advocacy visits were conducted in various parts of the country, emphasizing the need for collective action in the fight against illicit drugs.

NDLEA Chief Commends Officers, Warns Drug Traffickers

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has praised the officers and operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command for their swift and professional handling of the case involving Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe, the businessman who underwent surgery to expel 81 wraps of cocaine from his stomach after being arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Marwa emphasized that individuals involved in drug trafficking are not only endangering the lives of others but also putting themselves at extreme risk.

In addition, the NDLEA chief commended the Lagos State Strategic Command for successfully intercepting a 2,000-kilogram consignment of skunk being smuggled from Ghana. He also lauded the collective efforts of NDLEA operatives across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy campaigns, striking a critical balance between law enforcement and public awareness. According to Marwa, the agency remains steadfast in its mission to disrupt drug supply networks while educating Nigerians about the dangers of substance abuse, ensuring a safer and drug-free society.