By Bose
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Grandpa drug mule nabbed at Abuja airport as NDLEA cracks down on nationwide narcotics network
Nigeria’s anti-narcotics campaign recorded another dramatic breakthrough as operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a 74-year-old man at the Abuja international airport with a large consignment of cocaine concealed in food items, while several other suspects were apprehended in coordinated operations across different states.
The arrests form part of a series of nationwide enforcement actions by the NDLEA aimed at curbing the trafficking, distribution, and abuse of illicit drugs in the country. Authorities say drug syndicates have increasingly resorted to unconventional couriers and sophisticated concealment methods in an attempt to evade security checks at airports, seaports, and inland transit points.
The septuagenarian, identified as Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, was arrested at the departure hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to board a British Airways flight to London.
According to a statement released by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspect claimed he was travelling to the United Kingdom for vacation when he was stopped and searched by anti-narcotics officers on duty.
A thorough inspection of his luggage revealed blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms, cleverly concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper. The drugs were wrapped in foil papers and balloons in what officials described as a deliberate attempt to evade airport detection systems.
The discovery led to his immediate arrest and the seizure of the illicit consignment.
In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at a hotel in Victoria Island while she allegedly attempted to sell cocaine and a potent cannabis strain known as Canadian Loud.
The arrest took place in the early hours of March 9 at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street.
Officers recovered 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of cannabis from the suspect, who was found with her three children, including an infant.
During interrogation, she reportedly claimed the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was subsequently arrested the same day.
Investigators later discovered that Olatunji had previously been convicted for a similar offence and served a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence in 2015.
Also in Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted a large shipment of pharmaceutical opioids intended for illegal export.
Two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, were arrested at Ebetu Ero on Lagos Island after loading 68,000 pills of tramadol into a truck believed to be heading to the Benin Republic.
A follow-up operation led officers to Idumota Market, where the alleged owner of the consignment, Nnamdi Cyprian, was arrested.
A search of his shop uncovered a parcel already packaged for dispatch containing 1,000 tablets of tramadol.
In another raid at the same commercial district days later, NDLEA officers arrested Nwanosike Kelvin and recovered 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injections, another controlled substance frequently abused for its opioid effects.
Elsewhere, NDLEA officers arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, in the Bebeji area of Kano State with 386 kilograms of skunk, a highly potent form of cannabis.
In the Federal Capital Territory, another suspect, Isah Wako, was arrested in the Gwagwalada area with 282.2 kilograms of the same substance.
The agency also carried out a raid on illegal cannabis farms in Edo State.
During the operation at the Egwa Forest Reserve in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, officers arrested Chinedo Odalonu, 33, while destroying over four tonnes of cannabis planted across two farms.
Authorities said 4,218.96 kilograms of the illicit crop were destroyed on site, while 16.5 kilograms were recovered as exhibits.
At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, anti-drug officers intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in two shipping containers.
The containers had been placed under surveillance after intelligence suggested they contained hidden opioid shipments.
The seizure was carried out during a joint examination by NDLEA officers, Nigeria Customs Service personnel, and other security agencies.
Beyond enforcement, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued across the country, with sensitization programmes held in schools and communities.
Educational outreach activities were conducted at institutions including:
ERCC Secondary School, Duguru, Nasarawa State
Awoyemi Commercial High School, Okeho, Oyo State
Ogunu Primary School, Delta State
Seven Angels University Secondary School, Calabar
Edo National College, Iguobazuwa
In Ebonyi State, the NDLEA’s Zone 11 command also paid an advocacy visit to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru as part of efforts to strengthen public awareness and community participation in the fight against drug abuse.
Commending the agency’s personnel for the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.) praised officers in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Edo, and the Federal Capital Territory commands.
He also applauded NDLEA teams nationwide for maintaining what he described as a balanced strategy that combines drug supply reduction through enforcement with demand reduction through education and prevention.
Authorities say the agency remains committed to intensifying surveillance and enforcement operations to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
