By Abuja, Nigeria
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old Nigerian man at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after discovering 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in his luggage while attempting to travel to the United Kingdom.
The suspect, identified as Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, was intercepted on Saturday at the airport’s departure hall as he prepared to board a British Airways flight to London Heathrow Airport.
In a statement issued by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, officers discovered the cocaine hidden inside food items, including ground dry pepper. The drugs were reportedly wrapped in foil papers and balloons to evade detection. The arrest was part of a series of anti-drug operations conducted by the agency across the country.
According to the statement, NDLEA operatives seized 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in two containers at the Apapa Seaport during a joint inspection involving customs officials and other security agencies. The containers had earlier been placed under surveillance following intelligence reports indicating they contained concealed opioids.
Also in Lagos, two suspects: Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim were arrested at Ebute Ero on Lagos Island after officers recovered 68,000 tramadol pills. Authorities said the suspects had loaded the drugs into a truck and were preparing to transport them to the neighbouring Benin Republic.
Baba Femi said a follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, believed to be the owner of the consignment. Investigators said a parcel containing 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for dispatch was recovered from his shop. In another operation at the same market, Nwanosike Kelvin was arrested and 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection were seized.
Earlier in the week, the agency said its officers arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at a hotel in Victoria Island where she was allegedly attempting to sell small quantities of cocaine and a cannabis strain known as Canadian Loud. She was found with her three children, including an infant.
Further seizures were recorded in other parts of the country. In Kano, a 42-year-old suspect, Magaji Dan Azumi, was arrested with 386 kilograms of skunk, while in Abuja officers recovered 282.2 kilograms of the same substance from another suspect in Gwagwalada.
In Edo State, operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, arresting a suspect and destroying more than 4.2 tonnes of skunk cultivated on two farms, while 16.5 kilograms of the substance were recovered.
The NDLEA said its anti-drug awareness campaign, known as the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, also continued nationwide with sensitisation programmes held in schools across Nasarawa State, Oyo State, Delta State, Cross River State and Edo State.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations and urged personnel across the country to sustain efforts aimed at reducing drug supply and preventing substance abuse.
