Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after he allegedly attempted to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items while travelling to the United Kingdom.
The anti-drug agency said the suspect was apprehended at the departure hall of the Abuja airport on Saturday, March 14, 2026, while attempting to board a British Airways flight, BA082, bound for Heathrow Airport.
According to the agency, a search of his luggage uncovered blocks of cocaine wrapped in foil papers and balloons and hidden inside food items, including ground dry pepper.
In a related development in Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island, on Monday, March 9, while she was allegedly attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis.
The agency said the suspect was found with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest. She reportedly told investigators that the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later arrested the same day.
Investigations revealed that Olatunji had previously been arrested, convicted and sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment for a similar offence in 2015.
NDLEA also disclosed that its operatives intercepted a large consignment of opioids in separate operations on Lagos Island. Two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, were arrested at Ebute Ero after 68,000 pills of tramadol (250mg and 225mg) were discovered in a truck they were preparing to transport to Benin City.
A follow-up operation at Idumota Market led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the consignment, Nnamdi Cyprian. A search of his shop reportedly uncovered a parcel containing 1,000 tablets of tramadol prepared for waybill delivery.
In another raid at the same market, NDLEA operatives arrested Nwanosike Kelvin and recovered 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection from his shop.
The agency also recorded seizures in other parts of the country. In Kano State, a 42-year-old suspect, Magaji Dan Azumi, was arrested at Bebeji with 386 kilograms of skunk on March 10.
