Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 34- year – old China-based Nigerian businessman and two Angolan nationals who excreted a total of 236 wraps of cocaine following their interception at airports in Abuja and Kano.
The Director, Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday
The Nigerian suspect, Ibeanu Vincent Chukwudulue, was arrested on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, while onboard Qatar Airways flight 1432 from Kano to China via Abuja and Doha.
Acting on intelligence, NDLEA operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, asked that he be deboarded for screening. A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit substances.
He was subsequently placed under observation and later excreted 52 pellets of cocaine weighing 735.95 grams.
In his statement, Ibeanu said he previously ran a business on Lagos Island before relocating to Guangzhou, China, in 2024.
The statement said
at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, two Angolan nationals, Mbandu Martins Makiadi, 50, and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, 52, were intercepted during passenger clearance for a flight to Istanbul via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940.
After body scans confirmed drug ingestion, both suspects were placed under observation.
Mbandu excreted 76 wraps of cocaine weighing 920 grams in seven excretions, while Ngoma expelled 108 pellets weighing 1.33 kilograms in five excretions.
During interrogation, the duo, who hail from Hoji Ya Henda in Luanda, Angola, claimed they were recruited by an automobile spare parts dealer who promised to pay them $3,000 each upon successful delivery in Turkey.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, thwarted an attempt by a convicted drug kingpin, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules (garri) to London on a Virgin Atlantic flight.
Olashupo is currently serving a five-year jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre after his conviction in 2025 for conspiracy to export 17.90kg of cocaine.
Investigations revealed that he initiated the latest trafficking attempt from prison, using his company, Dimeji Express Logistics, located in Mafoluku, Oshodi.
A staff member of the company, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, who presented the consignment for export, was arrested. The cocaine was discovered hidden inside a sack of garri packed in a carton.
The NDLEA operatives also foiled an attempt by a 44-year-old estate surveyor, Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo, to export 1.70kg of skunk concealed in five jerry cans to the United Kingdom.
The cargo agent, Mustapha Quddus Opeyemi, was initially arrested, while a follow-up operation led to Adelaja’s arrest in the Ahmadiyya area of Lagos on February 9.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives intercepted a package from Enugu containing a children’s toy guitar. A search revealed two parcels of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 59.2 grams concealed inside the toy.
The owner of the consignment, Henry Onuma, was arrested at Dream City Estate, Life Camp, following a subsequent operation.
In Lagos, officers raided a four-bedroom duplex at 2 Alexandria Terrace, Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, used for the production and storage of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis.
The raid followed the seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide at Iyare Motor Park along the Ajah–Epe Expressway.
The driver, Amos Innocent, was arrested, while Victor Oyedeji was apprehended at the Lekki residence, where 13.2kg of freshly produced Colorado and precursor chemicals were recovered.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, a suspected female drug dealer, Oluwayemisi Bunmi, 45, was arrested at Hope Alakia area, where officers recovered 1.189kg of Colorado, skunk, 320 grams of methamphetamine, N2,975,000 cash and two Toyota Matrix vehicles.
In Kwara State, 105,400 tramadol pills were recovered from a suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi, after his vehicle was intercepted at Bode Saadu.
In Edo State, five suspects were arrested in a raid at Yoruba Camp, Olumoye Forest, Ovia North East LGA, where 563.5kg of skunk were recovered.
Across its commands nationwide, the agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation programmes in schools and communities, including outreach in Oyo, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Katsina and Lagos states.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers of the MAKIA, MMIA, NAIA, Lagos, Edo, Kwara, FCT and Oyo commands for their professionalism and urged them to sustain efforts in drug supply and demand reduction.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to curbing drug trafficking and abuse across the country.
