NDLEA Arrests Turkey-Bound Businessman Who Excretes 120 Wraps of Cocaine at Kano Airport

As NDLEA Seizes 5.40kg Cocaine Going to Owerri, Intercepts Drug Shipments to Angola and Canada, and Destroys 52,459kg Skunk in Delta, Edo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking across Nigeria, with multiple successful operations leading to major seizures and arrests. One of the most shocking incidents occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), where operatives intercepted a businessman attempting to smuggle cocaine to Turkey by swallowing the drug.

Turkey-Bound Businessman Caught with 120 Wraps of Cocaine

A 42-year-old Angolan businessman, Mbala Dajou Abuba, was arrested at MAKIA while attempting to board an Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul, Turkey, via Cairo. NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence, flagged him for a body scan, which confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs.

Under close medical observation, Abuba excreted 120 pellets of cocaine over seven rounds, with a total weight of 1.829 kilograms. During interrogation, he confessed to being involved in the township delivery business in Angola before being lured into drug trafficking. NDLEA officials have since launched further investigations to uncover potential collaborators in the drug network.

NDLEA Seizes 5.40kg Cocaine En Route to Owerri, Intercepts Drug Shipments to Angola

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted a major cocaine shipment heading to Owerri, Imo State. A suspect, Ezechi Iyke Cyprian, was apprehended while transporting 5.40 kilograms of cocaine in his Toyota Sienna bus on February 23. His arrest followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.

Similarly, an attempt by an auto spare parts dealer, Okeke Ebuka Igwe, to smuggle 1.10 kilograms of cocaine hidden in vehicle propellers to Angola was foiled at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives arrested Igwe on February 24 before the consignment could be exported. The suspect claimed to operate an auto parts business at ASPANDA, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.

128 Parcels of Canadian Loud Concealed in Mattresses Seized at Tincan Port

At the Tincan Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives made another significant discovery on February 28, uncovering 128 parcels of Canadian Loud, a highly potent strain of cannabis, weighing 63.75 kilograms. The drugs were cleverly hidden inside two mattresses in the trunk of a Toyota Venza imported from Montreal, Canada.

The seizure was made during a joint operation involving NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies, who examined a targeted container (marked TCNU 1945861). The alleged consignee, Bamidele Joseph, 44, was promptly arrested and taken into custody. Authorities believe the shipment was intended for high-end drug markets in Nigeria.

NDLEA Destroys 52,459kg Skunk in Delta and Edo Forests

In Delta State, NDLEA operatives, supported by the military, stormed a large cannabis plantation in the Innam-Abbi/Orogun community, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, on February 27. Over 50,000 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed on a sprawling 20-hectare farm. Five suspects—Augustine Subaru, 45; Ukoba Malachukwu, 53; Odalonu Emmanuel, 40; Esuabom Macaulay, 35; and Itoje Safe, 54—were arrested during the raid.

Another operation in Delta on February 28 led to the interception of a Mercedes Benz truck carrying 101 bags of skunk, weighing a total of 1,111 kilograms. The truck was stopped along the Abraka-Orogun road, and further investigations are ongoing.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives, in collaboration with the military, raided Okpuje community in Owan West Local Government Area on March 1. The operation led to the seizure of 1,409.5 kilograms of skunk and the destruction of over 100 jumbo bags of the drug stored in warehouses. Two suspects, Oikelomen Osere Monday, 38, and Glory Iroyo, 42, were arrested.

Nationwide Crackdown: More Arrests and Seizures

NDLEA’s enforcement efforts extended beyond major airports and seaports, with arrests recorded across multiple states:

Oyo State: Michael Omoloki, 46, was caught with 58.5 kilograms of skunk along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Kwara State: Lawali Mohammed, a Beninese national, was arrested on February 24 at Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin, with 2,980 tramadol tablets and diazepam pills.

Osun State: A consignment of 1.05 kilograms of skunk was intercepted on February 27 along the Ibadan-Gbongan expressway, hidden in a detergent box and biscuit carton. The suspect, Sunday Ogbu, 45, was arrested.

Zamfara State: Ayuba Mustapha, 30, was caught with 24,700 tramadol pills at Tsafe on February 23.

Borno State: Mustapha Shettima, 50, was nabbed on February 26 along Bama Road, Maiduguri, with 31 kilograms of skunk, 1,000 tramadol pills, and N720,000 in cash.

Kano State: Adamu Idris, 40, was arrested on February 26 along Zaria Road with 140 blocks of cannabis, weighing 73.5 kilograms.

In addition to these arrests, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) awareness campaign in schools, workplaces, and communities, including lectures at Ansarudeen Junior Secondary School, Ojuelegba (Lagos), Loretto Girls Special Science School, Adazinnukwu (Anambra), and Tudun Murtala Special Primary School, Nasarawa (Kano).

Commending the NDLEA officers across the country for their commitment, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) reiterated that the agency remains dedicated to its dual mission: reducing drug supply through enforcement and curbing demand through education and rehabilitation programs.