Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 43-year-old female make-up artist, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for attempting to smuggle 2.20 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of her luggage.
The suspect, who claimed she was travelling to India for fibroid surgery, was apprehended on Monday, June 16, following credible intelligence. NDLEA officials placed her under surveillance and allowed her to check in her luggage before intercepting her at the boarding gate for her Qatar Airways flight en route to India via Doha. Upon searching her suitcase, operatives discovered two large parcels of cocaine skillfully hidden in the suitcase lining.
During interrogation, Adekoya admitted she was on the trip for financial gain, using a fabricated medical reason as cover. Further investigations revealed that she was recruited and sponsored by a wanted drug kingpin, Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, who operates Rockford Hotel in Sango, Ogun State, and resides in the Igbe Laara area of Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
In related operations, NDLEA’s Directorate of Operation and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted multiple international drug consignments in Lagos. On Thursday, June 19, a parcel containing 1.3kg of Loud (a potent strain of cannabis) sewn into female dresses and bound for Bahrain was intercepted. A day earlier, 850 grams of cocaine concealed in cloth hangers were discovered in a shipment destined for Australia.
In Bauchi State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence arrested Ibrahim Galadima (37) and Ibrahim Muhammed (28) along the Bauchi–Darazo road on Monday, June 16. The suspects were found in possession of 1,013,000 pills of opioids including Tramadol, Diazepam, and Exol-5.
Other major busts include the arrest of Bishir Isyaku (38) on Tuesday, June 17, with 14.2kg of skunk and 198kg of rubber solution along the Kaduna–Zaria expressway. In Abuja, six suspects including Murtala Adamu and Ahmed Isma’il were arrested on June 18 during raids at Karu Abattoir and Torabora, with seizures totaling 6.9kg of skunk and 59g of methamphetamine.
Similarly, NDLEA officers on patrol in Kano State apprehended Umar Hamisu (19) and Dahiru Abdullahi (32) with 56.2kg of skunk on Thursday, June 19, while Obiwuru Henry (27) was caught with 23,720 Tramadol capsules and 1,400 ampoules of Pentazocine in Fagge LGA. Also arrested were Abubakar Modu (60) and Abdulkadir Muhammed (28) with 36.6kg and 32kg of skunk, respectively.
In Kwara State, a 22-year-old student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Olotin Nifemi, known for dealing illicit drugs to students, was arrested on June 19 with 1kg of skunk.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided Ugbada Camp in Uzebba forest, Owan West LGA, destroying 4,226.11kg of skunk on June 20. One suspect, Albert Shamaki (33), was arrested during the operation. Additional raids in Emado community, Esan West LGA, and Idumeka Igueben led to the arrest of Esther Abumere (28) and Eko Gift (38), with various illicit substances including Colorado, Loud, Molly, Tramadol, and 1.143kg of skunk seized.
On the advocacy front, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization programs across the country. Educational sessions were held in Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kano, and Enugu states, while the Osun State Command paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in Ile-Ife.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the dedication and vigilance of officers across the MMIA, DOGI, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Edo, and FCT Commands. He applauded their efforts in maintaining a balance between drug supply reduction and demand reduction.
