Nigeria’s NDLEA Makes Multiple Arrests in Nationwide Crackdown on Drug Trafficking

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old man at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after authorities discovered 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in his luggage.

The suspect, identified as Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, was arrested on March 14 while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom.

The agency said the man, who claimed he was travelling to London for a holiday, was preparing to board a British Airways flight to Heathrow when officers conducted a search of his luggage.

During the inspection, officials discovered packages of cocaine hidden inside food items, including ground dry pepper, and wrapped in foil and balloons.

The seizure was part of a broader series of anti-narcotics operations carried out across Nigeria in recent days, according to the NDLEA.

In Lagos, authorities made several arrests, including that of Maryam Olalowo, who was allegedly caught attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of cannabis, locally known as “Canadian Loud.”

She was found with her three children, including an infant, during the operation. Investigators also questioned her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later arrested. Authorities said he had previously been convicted and served a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence in 2015 for a similar offence.

In another operation, NDLEA officers intercepted 68,000 tramadol tablets that had been loaded into a truck and were reportedly being prepared for transport to Benin. Two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, were arrested.

A follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of another suspect, Nnamdi Cyprian, after officers discovered 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for shipment from his shop.

Authorities later arrested Nwanosike Kelvin at the same market, recovering 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injections.

Additional arrests were also reported in Kano and Edo State as part of the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and reduce substance abuse across the country.