Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a former international footballer, Segun George Hunkarin, alongside a businessman, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, in an attempt to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria. The arrest was made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on June 24, 2025.
Chinedu, a frequent traveler known for shuttling between Nigeria and Turkey for the clothing and foodstuff business, was the first to be apprehended. Upon his arrival at MMIA from Turkey via Addis Ababa, NDLEA officers discovered 37 wraps of cocaine, weighing 800 grams, concealed within his carry-on bag. Investigations revealed that the consignment was handed to him during his layover in Ethiopia.
Further surveillance led officers to Segun Hunkarin, who was waiting in the airport car park to receive the illicit cargo. Hunkarin, who previously played professional football in Brazil, confessed during interrogation that he had trafficked drugs twice between Brazil and Ethiopia but claimed this was his first attempt involving Nigeria.
Airport Crackdown: Tramadol, Meth, and Liquid Cocaine Seized
The Lagos airport was not the only hotspot for drug trafficking during the NDLEA’s recent operations. On June 27, Europe-based businessman Amen Okoro Godstime was intercepted at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of MMIA. He attempted to smuggle 5,000 pills of tramadol (225mg) disguised as malaria drugs such as Lonart, Amatem, and Aluktem. The suspect, who manages a freight and logistics business between Europe and Nigeria, admitted he intended to take the consignment to France before routing it to Italy for distribution.
Simultaneously, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu, operatives arrested Ezenwaka Chibuzor Emmanuel, a bar attendant based in Maputo, Mozambique. A thorough search revealed a staggering 17.5kg of methamphetamine and 3.05kg of cocaine hidden in bedsheets packed in his luggage. Ezenwaka arrived on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Johannesburg, transiting through Addis Ababa.
Adding to the haul, NDLEA officers at AIIA apprehended 54-year-old Azu Follygan Kpodar, who had traveled from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Upon inspecting his belongings, officers discovered a liquid soap container filled with liquid cocaine weighing 1.25kg. Azu, a toy merchant in Brazil, shockingly claimed he purchased the drug while shopping for his wedding in Nigeria.
Seme Border Interception and State-Level Raids
The agency’s operations extended beyond airports. On June 24, NDLEA officers stationed at the Seme border, Badagry, Lagos, intercepted 26-year-old Vode Jean-Luck, a Beninese national. He was caught attempting to smuggle 69 balls of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 29.5kg into Nigeria from Benin Republic.
In Kwara State, notorious drug dealer Mary Bolanle Oladele, popularly known as Iya Nafi, was apprehended on June 25 in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area. Her residence, believed to be a local distribution hub, was raided, yielding varying quantities of skunk, tramadol, and flunitrazepam.
Similarly, a 72-year-old grandmother, Mrs. Christy Ejaro, was arrested in Niger CAT area, Warri, Delta State, on June 24. Officers recovered numerous sachets of skunk, packaged and ready for street-level distribution. Her arrest highlights the worrying trend of older individuals being drawn into the drug trade.
NDLEA Intensifies WADA Advocacy Nationwide
Beyond arrests, NDLEA continues to strengthen its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative. In the past week, officers conducted sensitization programs across various schools nationwide. The educational outreach aimed to enlighten young Nigerians about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
Some of the institutions visited include Yakubawa Model Primary School in Katsina, Police Secondary School in Igboora, Oyo State, Mater Dei College in Enugu, and Community Girls Secondary School in Yenagoa, Bayelsa. These sessions are crucial in addressing the demand side of the drug crisis by targeting the youth with preventive education.
The agency maintains that balancing enforcement with public education is key to achieving long-term success in combating drug-related offenses nationwide.
Marwa Commends Officers, Reiterates Commitment to Drug-Free Nigeria
Reacting to the series of arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the dedication and resilience of officers in MMIA, AIIA, Delta, Kwara, and Seme commands. He also lauded other commands across the country for their unwavering efforts in both supply reduction and demand reduction.
Marwa reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking and abuse, emphasizing that the NDLEA remains committed to dismantling drug networks regardless of the status, age, or nationality of those involved. He urged communities to support the agency’s mission by providing credible intelligence and participating actively in anti-drug campaigns.
“The fight against drug abuse is a collective responsibility. Our goal is to secure the future of our youth and safeguard the health and security of our nation,” Marwa stated.
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