In a significant blow to international drug trafficking, NDLEA operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) have arrested 74-year-old Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka. The septuagenarian was apprehended after a massive consignment of cocaine, concealed within foil and balloons, was discovered stashed in his luggage during a UK-bound flight screening.
In a statement released on Sunday, March 15, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest of a 74-year-old septuagenarian, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Abuja airport. The suspect, who claimed to be traveling to London for a vacation, was intercepted at the departure hall on Saturday, March 14, while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082. A thorough search of his luggage revealed 11 kilograms of cocaine blocks, ingeniously hidden inside food items like ground dry pepper and vacuum-sealed in foil and balloons.
The agency’s crackdown continued on Lagos Island, where a sting operation at Ikad Hotel and Suites led to the arrest of Maryam Olalowo. Despite being in the company of her three children, Olalowo was caught attempting to distribute cocaine and Canadian Loud. She eventually pointed to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, as the owner of the illicit haul. Olatunji, a convicted drug trafficker sentenced to prison in 2015, was re-arrested the same day after confirming ownership of the substances.
However, a cross-border drug run was thwarted at Ebute Ero as the NDLEA nabbed Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim with a massive haul of 68,000 Tramadol pills. The suspects were intercepted in the early hours of Monday, March 9, just as they prepared to transport the 250mg and 225mg shipments across the border to the Benin Republic.
A follow-up operation on Wednesday, March 11, at Idumota market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, the primary owner of the previously intercepted consignment. A search of his premises uncovered a parcel containing 1,000 tablets of 250mg Tramadol, already packaged for waybill delivery. Two days later, on Friday, March 13, a separate raid at the same market resulted in the arrest of Nwanosike Kelvin and the seizure of 47,500 ampoules of Pentazocine injection from his shop.
There was no escape from the NDLEA’s “eagle eyes” this week as operatives hauled in over 600kg of skunk in two major busts. On Tuesday, March 10, Magaji Dan Azumi was nabbed in Kano with 386kg, while on Friday, March 13, Isah Wako was intercepted in Gwagwalada, Abuja, with 282.2kg of the Narcotics.
Similarly, the NDLEA’s offensive extended to Edo State, where operatives stormed the Egwa Forest Reserve in Aduan village. During the raid, 33-year-old Chinedu Odalonu was apprehended as officers destroyed 4,218.96kg of skunk across two farms and recovered an additional 16.5kg.
Simultaneously, at the Apapa Seaport, a joint inspection on Saturday, March 14, led to the interception of 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup. The massive shipment, discovered in two containers, had been watch-listed by the NDLEA following intelligence regarding the concealment of opioids.
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA has scaled up its nationwide grassroots offensive through the WADA advocacy campaign. In the last seven days, operatives brought anti-drug education to several institutions, including schools in Nasarawa, Oyo, Delta, Cross River, and Edo states.
In a strategic move to bolster regional cooperation, the agency’s Zone 11 Command also held an advocacy session with Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State to align state and federal efforts against substance abuse.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) gave a resounding nod to the NAIA, Lagos, Kano, Edo, and FCT teams for their recent string of successful operations.
Marwa emphasized that the agency’s strength lies in its dual-threat strategy—pursuing drug supply reduction with the same vigor as demand reduction—and praised all nationwide commands for upholding this mission.
