NDLEA Nabs Grandpa with Cocaine at Abuja Airport

By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

NDLEA operatives arrested 74-year-old Ikwuakalom Emeka at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for attempting to smuggle 11kg of cocaine, hidden in food items, to the UK.

The suspect was caught Saturday, March 14, while attempting to board a British Airways flight to London Heathrow.

Spokesman Femi Babafemi reported that a luggage search revealed cocaine blocks wrapped in foil and balloons, stashed inside containers of ground dry pepper.

The agency confirmed the septuagenarian claimed he was traveling for vacation before officers discovered the 11kg haul concealed within his food supplies.

Additional drug-related arrests and seizures were reported across Nigeria throughout the week.

In Lagos, Maryam Olalowo was caught at a Victoria Island hotel with cocaine and “Canadian Loud” cannabis while accompanied by her three children.

Her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji a repeat offender previously convicted in 2015 was later arrested after claiming ownership of the drugs.

Elsewhere in Lagos, three suspects were arrested after 68,000 tramadol pills were found in a truck, with a follow-up raid at Idumota Market uncovering more tablets.

A separate Idumota raid led to the arrest of Nwanosike Kelvin and the seizure of 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection.

In Kano and Abuja, Magaji Dan Azumi and Isah Wako were arrested with a combined total of over 668kg of “skunk” cannabis.

In Edo State, operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve, arresting one suspect and destroying over 4,200kg of cannabis across two farms.

At Apapa Seaport, officials intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup hidden in two watch-listed containers.

NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa praised the officers’ recent successes and urged continued efforts to dismantle drug supply and demand nationwide.