NDLEA Arrests Woman at Lagos Airport Over Cocaine Trafficking Disguised as Surgery Trip to India
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 43-year-old makeup artist, Adekoya Mary, at Lagos Airport while allegedly attempting to smuggle 2.2kg of cocaine hidden in her luggage. The woman claimed she was heading to India for fibroid surgery.
According to a statement released on Sunday, June 16, the NDLEA arrest occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, following actionable intelligence. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that Adekoya was placed under discreet surveillance, allowed to check in her luggage, and then intercepted at the boarding gate for her Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha.
Upon searching her suitcase, NDLEA officials discovered two large parcels of cocaine concealed within the suitcase walls.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed that the surgery claim was merely a pretense to carry out cocaine trafficking. She admitted she was motivated by financial gain.
When her luggage was searched, two large parcels of cocaine weighing 2.20kg were found concealed in the walls of the suitcase she was carrying,” Babafemi said. “In her statement, she claimed she embarked on the trip for financial benefits but under the pretext of going to India for fibroid surgery.”
Further investigations linked the suspect to a drug baron identified as Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, the owner of Rockford Hotel in Sango, Ogun State. Adekanbi, who is currently on the run, resides in the Igbe Laara area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
At a courier company in Lagos, NDLEA’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation intercepted a shipment of sewn female dresses containing 1.3kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, headed for Bahrain on June 19.
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On the same day, NDLEA officers at another courier firm uncovered 850 grams of cocaine hidden inside cloth hangers in a package destined for Australia.
In Bauchi State, two suspects, Ibrahim Galadima (37) and Ibrahim Muhammed (28), were arrested on June 16 along the Bauchi-Darazo Road, with over one million opioid pills including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.
The following day, June 17, NDLEA operatives arrested Bishir Isyaku (38) at Gwargwaje along the Kaduna–Zaria Expressway, recovering 14.2kg of cannabis (skunk) hidden in sacks of charcoal and seven cartons of rubber solution weighing 198kg.
In Abuja, during raids conducted on June 18 at Karu Abattoir and Torabora, the agency arrested Murtala Adamu, Ahmed Ismai’l, and four others. The operation led to the seizure of 6.9kg of cannabis and 59 grams of methamphetamine.
Meanwhile, at the Kano Command, NDLEA personnel made multiple arrests on June 19 along the Zaria-Kano Road. Those arrested include:
Umar Hamisu (19) and Dahiru Abdullahi (32) with 56.2kg of cannabis
Obiwuru Henry with 23,720 tramadol capsules and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine
Abubakar Modu with 36.6kg of cannabis
Abdulkadir Muhammed with 32kg of cannabis
