74-Year-Old Grandpa Arrested at Abuja Airport With 11kg Cocaine While Heading to London
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja after discovering a large consignment of cocaine hidden in his luggage.
According to the agency, the suspect was intercepted at the departure hall of the Abuja airport on Saturday, March 14, 2026, while attempting to board a British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow Airport, London.
During a thorough search of his luggage, NDLEA officers uncovered 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside food items including ground dry pepper. The illicit drugs were carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons in an attempt to evade detection.
The elderly suspect reportedly claimed he was travelling to the United Kingdom for vacation before his arrest.
Woman Arrested in Lagos With Cocaine and Cannabis
In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a woman identified as Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites located on Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island.
She was caught attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis. At the time of her arrest, she was with her three children, including an infant.
Investigations revealed that the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was subsequently arrested the same day. Authorities later released Maryam after her husband admitted ownership of the drugs.
Further investigation showed that Ibrahim had previously been arrested, convicted, and sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment in 2015 for a similar offense.
Major Drug Seizures Across Nigeria
NDLEA operatives also carried out several successful operations across the country.
- Two suspects were arrested at Ebute Ero, Lagos Island with 68,000 pills of tramadol.
- Another suspect was arrested at Idumota Market where 1,000 tablets of tramadol were recovered.
- A raid at the same market led to the seizure of 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection.
- In Kano State, NDLEA operatives recovered 386kg of skunk from a suspect in Bebeji area.
- In Abuja’s Gwagwalada area, 282.2kg of skunk was also recovered.
4,218kg of Skunk Destroyed in Edo Forest
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve in Aduan village, Orhionmwon LGA, where a suspect identified as Chinedo Odalonu was arrested.
During the operation, officials destroyed 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk grown on two cannabis farms, while 16.5kg of the substance was recovered.
339,800 Bottles of Codeine Intercepted at Apapa Port
In one of the biggest seizures, NDLEA officers working alongside the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup hidden inside two containers at Apapa Seaport in Lagos.
The containers had earlier been placed under surveillance by NDLEA after intelligence reports suggested they contained concealed opioids.
NDLEA Intensifies Anti-Drug Campaign
Meanwhile, NDLEA continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through awareness programs in schools across Nigeria including institutions in Nasarawa, Oyo, Delta, Cross River, and Edo states.
Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers involved in the successful arrests and seizures while encouraging all commands nationwide to maintain a balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
Source: NDLEA Media & Advocacy Department
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