Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 43-year-old woman, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for attempting to smuggle 2.2 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of her suitcase. The suspect, a self-acclaimed make-up artist, claimed she was travelling to India for fibroid surgery.

The arrest, which took place on Monday, June 16, 2025, followed credible intelligence. NDLEA operatives placed her under surveillance, allowing her to check in her luggage before intercepting her at the boarding gate for a Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha. A thorough search of her suitcase revealed two parcels of cocaine factory-fitted in its lining.

In her statement, Adekoya admitted to embarking on the trip under the guise of a medical procedure but revealed that the mission was financially motivated. Investigations traced her recruitment and funding to a drug baron, Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, owner of Rockford Hotel in Sango, Ogun State, who resides in Igbe Laara, Ikorodu, Lagos.

COURIER INTERCEPTIONS: Loud and Cocaine in Female Dress and Cloth Hangers

In separate operations, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted a parcel of sewn female dresses stuffed with 1.3kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, en route to Bahrain at a courier company in Lagos on Thursday, June 19. A day earlier, on June 18, 850 grams of cocaine were discovered hidden in cloth hangers bound for Australia at another courier firm.

BAUCHI: Over 1 Million Opioid Pills Recovered

In Bauchi State, two suspects, Ibrahim Galadima (37) and Ibrahim Muhammed (28), were arrested along the Bauchi–Darazo road with a staggering 1,013,000 pills of opioids including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.

MORE BUSTS IN KADUNA, FCT, AND KANO

In Kaduna, Bishir Isyaku (38) was arrested with 14.2kg of cannabis concealed in sacks of charcoal, and 198kg of rubber solution on Tuesday, June 17. In Abuja, on June 18, a raid on Karu Abattoir and Torabora area led to the arrest of Murtala Adamu, Ahmed Isma’il, and four others, with seizures including 6.9kg of cannabis and 59 grams of methamphetamine.

Kano State operatives arrested Umar Hamisu (19) and Dahiru Abdullahi (32) on June 19 along the Zaria–Kano road with 56.2kg of cannabis. The same day, Obiwuru Henry (27) was arrested with 23,720 capsules of tramadol and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine. Additional arrests on June 21 included Abubakar Modu (60) with 36.6kg of cannabis and Abdulkadir Muhammed (28) with 32kg along the same route.

KWARA: Female Student Arrested for Selling Drugs

In Ilorin, Kwara State, NDLEA apprehended Olotin Nifemi, a 22-year-old student of Kwara State Polytechnic, known for distributing drugs to fellow students. She was found with 1kg of cannabis at her residence on June 19.

EDO: Over 4.2 Tonnes of Cannabis Destroyed, Supermarket Raided

A major operation in Edo State led to the destruction of 4,226.11kg of cannabis at Ugbada Camp, Uzebba Forest, in Owan West LGA on June 20. One suspect, Albert Shamaki (33), was arrested. On June 19, a raid on Big Jamaya Supermarket in Esan West LGA led to the arrest of Esther Abumere (28) and recovery of drugs including Colorado, Loud, Molly, and Tramadol. Another raid at a provision store in Idumeka, Igueben, resulted in the seizure of 1.143kg of cannabis and arrest of Eko Gift (38).

NDLEA Intensifies WADA Advocacy Nationwide

NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitization lectures at schools across Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kano, and Enugu. In Osun, the State Command paid an advocacy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Chairman Commends Operatives

The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers of MMIA, DOGI, and Commands in Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Edo, and FCT for their dedication. He urged continued synergy between supply reduction and demand reduction strategies to win the war against drug abuse and trafficking.