Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a China-bound auto spare parts dealer at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, after he was found to have ingested dozens of wraps of cocaine, as the agency recorded multiple major drug seizures and arrests across Nigeria.
The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi.
According to the statement, the suspect, 62-year-old Lagos-based businessman, Nwabueze Nicholas Izueke, was arrested while attempting to travel to China.
“A 62-year-old Lagos-based businessman Nwabueze Nicholas Izueke has been arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while heading to China with 95 jumbo-sized wraps of cocaine weighing 1.589 kilograms buried in his stomach.”
The agency said Izueke was intercepted on Saturday, January 31, 2026, during outward passenger clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to China via Addis Ababa.
“When taken for body scan, he tested positive for ingesting illicit drug and was promptly placed under excretion observation.”
While under observation, the suspect reportedly expelled the drug consignments.
“While under observation, the suspect who claims he’s into clothing and auto spare parts business in Lagos, expelled a total of 95 pellets of the class A drug in seven excretions.”
The suspect reportedly told investigators he ventured into drug trafficking to raise funds for a building project.
“He claimed he decided to engage in illicit drug trafficking to raise enough money to complete the country home he’s building in his village, Iwollo, Enugu state.”
Meth, Skunk, Tramadol Seizures Across States
The NDLEA also recorded several other high-profile drug interceptions nationwide.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), operatives recovered 627.7 kilograms of skunk from a makeshift warehouse at Fums Plaza in Kubwa.
Similarly, attempts to smuggle methamphetamine hidden inside MP3 speakers from Enugu to Abuja and Kaduna were foiled. One suspect, Ebube Okeke, was arrested in Zuba, while three others—Evans Ugwu, Mohammed Eze Arinze and Friday Michael—were arrested in Kaduna while attempting to collect another consignment.
In Taraba State, operatives intercepted a suspect transporting yogurt packs from Lagos to Adamawa.
“NDLEA officers searched the yogurt packs, some of which were used to conceal wraps of white powdery substance that tested positive to methamphetamine weighing 1.8 kilograms.”
Ibadan Drug Factory Raid, Kingpin Arrested
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives arrested a Beninoise national, Shuaibu Abdulrahman, with 149.6kg of skunk concealed in rice shafts.
In a separate operation in Ibadan, Adeniyi Adeola, also known as Prince, was arrested with large quantities of controlled drugs.
“Recovered from his truck marked BDJ 767 YC include: 10,820 ampoules of pentazocine injection; and 117,820 capsules of tramadol.”
Operatives also arrested a suspected drug kingpin, Jimoh Nurudeen, at Badeku, Ibadan, alongside an accomplice.
“Recovered from them include: 8 litres of precursor chemical; 14 grams of skunk and other paraphernalia of Colos production, as well as monetary exhibit of ₦7,408,400.00 and two vehicles.”
Further Seizures Nationwide
In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a fuel tanker and discovered 395,400 capsules of tramadol hidden inside the vehicle.
In Imo State, a couple—Izuchukwu Azubuike and Ifunaya Mmadueke—were arrested with 203kg of skunk, while 420kg of skunk was recovered in Ondo State.
In Lagos, operatives seized 31 wraps of cocaine hidden inside a handbag from a suspect arriving from Côte d’Ivoire through Badagry waterways.
Another suspect was arrested at Lagos Island with 3.6kg of Canadian Loud and Colorado, while in Enugu, a suspected dealer was arrested with multiple hard drugs and cash exhibits.
NDLEA Sustains Anti-Drug Campaign Nationwide
The agency said it also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities nationwide.
Commending officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), charged personnel to sustain professionalism in drug control operations.
“He enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to maintain the current level of professionalism and commitment in all their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.”
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks and strengthening preventive campaigns across the country.
