Abuja – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine to London. The drugs were hidden in foil papers and balloons inside his luggage.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the suspect claimed he was travelling to London for a vacation. “Our officers stopped him at the departure hall as he was about to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow. A search of his luggage revealed cocaine carefully concealed in food items, including ground dry pepper,” Babafemi explained.

The arrest forms part of a series of successful operations by the NDLEA across the country. In Lagos, operatives acting on intelligence arrested Mrs. Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel, Victoria Island, with 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud cannabis. Her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, later taken into custody, confirmed ownership of the drugs and was found to have a prior conviction for a similar offence in 2015.

Also in Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted two men, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, with 68,000 tramadol pills ready for transport to Benin Republic. Follow-up raids led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian and Nwanosike Kelvin, resulting in the seizure of over 48,500 tramadol tablets and 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection.

In northern and central Nigeria, NDLEA arrested a 42-year-old man, Magaji Dan Azumi, in Bebeji, Kano, with 386kg of skunk, while another 42-year-old, Isah Wako, was caught in Gwagwalada, FCT, with 282.2kg of the same substance. In Edo State, officers raided Egwa forest reserve in Orhionmwon LGA, destroying 4,218.96kg of skunk and recovering 16.5kg from a suspect.

At Apapa seaport, Lagos, NDLEA intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup in two containers flagged during routine intelligence checks.

Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers nationwide for their efforts. “Our teams continue to maintain a balance between reducing drug supply and addressing drug demand. These arrests demonstrate our commitment to protecting Nigerians from the scourge of narcotics,” Marwa said.

The agency has also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, delivering lectures and sensitization programs in schools and communities across states including Nasarawa, Oyo, Delta, Cross River, Edo, and Ebonyi.