Drug Bust At Lagos Airport: NDLEA Arrests Two Women, Uncovers Cocaine And Cannabis Consignments

According to Bush Radio Academy, the NDLEA disclosed that Beauty was arrested on October 7, 2026, at the airport’s departure hall while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa through Doha. A search of her two travelling bags reportedly uncovered 30 blocks of cocaine, concealed in seven parcels and mixed with dried pepper before being wrapped in cellophane tape.

During questioning, Beauty allegedly told investigators that she arrived in Nigeria on September 30 specifically to collect the consignment. She reportedly claimed that another South African woman recruited her and promised to pay her R20,000 upon successful delivery of the drugs.

The agency said Beauty also identified two other alleged members of the trafficking network, including an individual based in the United States and a Lagos-based car dealer.

Further investigations reportedly led to the arrest of 46-year-old car dealer Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe on October 14 at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, following surveillance at his residence in the Shasha area.

According to the agency, Umunnakwe admitted receiving Beauty at the airport and arranging accommodation for her at Santiago Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin before moving her to Cynarisso Hotel near the airport ahead of her planned departure.

In a separate operation on October 21, NDLEA operatives arrested Ubong following her arrival from Houston, United States, aboard a United Airlines flight. The agency identified her as a realtor based in Richmond, Texas, who holds Nigerian and American passports.

A search of her two checked-in boxes allegedly uncovered 18 parcels containing 9.45 kilogrammes of a high-potency cannabis product known as loud, concealed with gift-wrapping paper. Ubong reportedly told investigators that her daughter and her daughter’s future brother-in-law had delivered the package to her home in the United States for onward delivery in Nigeria to her daughter’s fiancé, identified as Jibola.

Beyond the airport arrests, the NDLEA reported several other operations across the country, resulting in the seizure of illicit drugs and the arrest of multiple suspects.

In Lagos, operatives of the agency’s special operations unit arrested 41-year-old Eletu Rasheedat in the Eti-Osa area on October 23. The operation reportedly led to the recovery of 5,820 diazepam pills, 780 tramadol tablets, 3.7 kilogrammes of skunk cannabis and 230.25 litres of a locally produced alcoholic-drug mixture known as skuchies.

In Delta State, a 51-year-old suspect, Peter Ugochukwu, was arrested in Warri with a large quantity of pharmaceutical opioids and other controlled substances. The agency listed the seized items as 29,350 tramadol capsules, 6,620 tablets of tramadol 200mg, 4,116 bottles of codeine syrup, 11,340 Rohypnol tablets, 3,500 diazepam tablets, 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection, alongside other substances.

The NDLEA said Ugochukwu was transferred to its custody by the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State, together with a white Hummer bus. In another operation in Warri, officers arrested 46-year-old Helen Bakporo Samson, a physically challenged woman, at Enhere Junction on October 19 and allegedly recovered six kilogrammes of skunk cannabis.

In Oyo State, operatives arrested 41-year-old Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi in the Adamasingba area of Ibadan on October 19. The agency said he had previously escaped arrest when officers seized 197.8 kilogrammes of cannabis from his residence on September 16.

In Kano State, a raid in the Gerawa area on October 22 led to the arrest of 30-year-old Murtala Lawan and the seizure of 159 blocks of cannabis weighing 97.2 kilogrammes. In Taraba State, 39-year-old Raiyanu Misa was arrested at the Lankaviri checkpoint in Yorro Local Government Area on October 23 with 95 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 60.175 kilogrammes.

The agency also reported that the police handed over another suspect arrested in Dakka village, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, alongside 112 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 81.49 kilogrammes.

In Niger State, NDLEA operatives arrested 26-year-old Emmanuel Ekene on October 19 along the Sabo-Kainji Road in Borgu Local Government Area. The agency said 64,000 opioid pills, including tramadol and diazepam, were recovered during the operation.

Meanwhile, officers arrested 45-year-old Jamilu Mustapha, also known as Last Card, in Nasaru Town, Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, on October 21. The operation reportedly resulted in the seizure of 379 kilogrammes of cannabis packed in seven large sacks.

In Ondo State, officers acting on intelligence raided a farm at Board-Ala in Akure South on October 20 and recovered 56 bags of abandoned cannabis weighing 583 kilogrammes. In Edo State, two cannabis farms in Ugbada Forest, Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area, were reportedly destroyed on October 18. The agency estimated their potential yield at 2,023.14 kilogrammes, adding that officers burnt 450 kilogrammes of processed cannabis at the site and retained another 97 kilogrammes as exhibits. A separate operation in Ewe community led to the arrest of 42-year-old Mary Edokhai, allegedly with 35 kilogrammes of cannabis.

The NDLEA also said its commands continued public awareness campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse initiative, conducting sensitisation programmes in schools, places of worship, workplaces and communities across several states.

The agency’s chairman and chief executive, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), reportedly commended officers involved in the operations for their vigilance, professionalism and intelligence-led approach. He urged personnel nationwide to sustain efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse.

The agency said investigations into the reported cases were continuing as it pursued efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and curb the distribution of illicit substances across Nigeria.