NDLEA Foils Multi-State Drug Smuggling Attempts, Arrests Airport Couriers

China-based businessman, two Angolans excrete 236 cocaine wraps at Kano and Abuja airports, as NDLEA intercepts London-bound consignment sent from Lagos jail and uncovers cannabis operations in Lekki and other states.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a China-based Nigerian businessman and two Angolan nationals who excreted a combined total of 236 wraps of cocaine after being intercepted at airports in Abuja and Kano. The arrests formed part of a broader nationwide crackdown that also exposed attempts to smuggle drugs to the United Kingdom from a Lagos correctional facility, conceal narcotics in children’s toys, and operate a synthetic cannabis production factory in Lekki, Lagos.

The agency disclosed that the suspects were apprehended following intelligence-led operations across multiple states, resulting in significant seizures of cocaine, cannabis, tramadol, methamphetamine and other illicit substances.

Airport NDLEA Arrests and Cocaine Excretion

The China-based businessman, identified as Ibeanu Vincent Chukwudulue, 34, was arrested on 4 February 2026 while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight from Kano to China via Abuja and Doha. Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA officers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, requested that he be deboarded for further screening.

A body scan confirmed that he had ingested illicit drugs. During a period of observation, he excreted 52 pellets of cocaine weighing 735.95 grams. In his statement, he reportedly disclosed that he had been engaged in business activities on Lagos Island before relocating to Guangzhou, China, in 2024.

On the same day, two Angolan nationals — Mbandu Martins Makiadi, 50, and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, 52 — were intercepted at the departure hall of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while attempting to travel to Istanbul via Addis Ababa. After testing positive for drug ingestion, they were placed under observation. Mbandu excreted 76 wraps weighing 920 grams, while Ngoma expelled 108 pellets weighing 1.33 kilograms. The suspects claimed they were promised $3,000 each by a Luanda-based automobile spare parts dealer upon successful delivery of the drugs in Turkey.

Drug Export Attempts from Prison and Lagos Airport

In a separate development, NDLEA operatives thwarted an attempt by a convicted drug kingpin, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules (garri) to London. Oladimeji is currently serving a five-year jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre following his conviction in 2025 for conspiracy to export 17.90 kilograms of cocaine.

Investigations revealed that the convict allegedly orchestrated the latest trafficking attempt from prison using his logistics company. The consignment was intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja. A company staff member, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, who presented the cargo for shipment, was arrested, and further inquiries indicated that the drugs were collected from a location in Oshodi, Lagos.

Similarly, NDLEA officers frustrated another export attempt involving 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in jerry cans destined for the United Kingdom. A cargo agent and the alleged sender, an estate surveyor, were arrested in follow-up operations in Lagos.

Cannabis Factory Raid, Toy Concealment and Nationwide Seizures

In Abuja, NDLEA operatives intercepted a parcel from Enugu concealed inside a children’s toy guitar. The search uncovered 59.2 grams of “Canadian Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis. A subsequent operation led to the arrest of the consignment’s owner in Life Camp.

In Lagos, officers raided a four-bedroom duplex in Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, where a synthetic cannabis production facility was uncovered. Thirteen kilograms of freshly produced “Colos,” along with precursor chemicals, were recovered. The raid followed the seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide at Ajah–Epe Expressway. Suspects linked to the operation were arrested.

Additional operations across Oyo, Kwara and Edo states yielded substantial seizures. In Ibadan, a suspected female drug dealer was apprehended with various narcotics, cash and vehicles. In Kwara, 105,400 tramadol pills were recovered from a vehicle intercepted at Bode Saadu. Meanwhile, five suspects were arrested in Edo State after 563.5 kilograms of skunk were discovered in a forest camp.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across commands for their professionalism and reiterated the agency’s commitment to a balanced strategy combining drug supply reduction with demand reduction through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns nationwide.