By Gabriel Ameh
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered multiple drug trafficking attempts across Nigeria, including a case involving a woman who concealed drugs in a fake pregnancy and an Ivorian national who ingested cocaine pellets at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
Fake Baby Bump Conceals Tramadol
At the Seme Border in Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted a 35-year-old businesswoman, Rabi Muhammad, on February 16, 2026, while attempting to cross into Cotonou, Benin Republic.
According to the agency, a body search revealed that her protruding stomach was not a pregnancy but a makeshift concealment device. Officers reportedly recovered 3,200 capsules of tramadol hidden inside a pink-coloured calabash strapped to her abdomen.
Ivorian National Arrested at Kano Airport
On the same day, NDLEA operatives at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) intercepted a 41-year-old Ivorian, Michael Gohouri, during passenger clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan via Addis Ababa.
A body scan indicated ingestion of illicit substances. Under observation, the suspect excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.
The agency said the suspect had travelled between Lagos, Enugu and Kano before ingesting the drugs. He was reportedly promised €5,000 upon successful delivery in Italy.
Real Estate Executive Arrested in Lagos
In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA arrested Kolapo Oladapo Raji, identified as the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Trans Fortress Global Resources, at his residence in Ikate, Lekki.
The agency said he had been on its watchlist since 2025. A search of his apartment allegedly led to the recovery of 89.2 kilograms of “Canadian Loud,” a strain of cannabis, as well as a 2024 Toyota Hilux vehicle.
Seizures Across Multiple States
NDLEA operations during the week also led to significant seizures in several states:
At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, officers discovered 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a joint inspection with Customs and other security agencies.
Along the Okene Lokoja highway in Kogi State, operatives recovered 7,300 tramadol pills concealed in sound systems aboard a commercial bus. Two suspects were later arrested in Abuja.
In Ondo and Edo states, raids on forest enclaves led to the seizure and destruction of large quantities of cannabis, with multiple suspects arrested, including a 68-year-old grandmother in Edo.
Additional seizures were recorded in Bauchi, Delta and Lagos states.
NDLEA Commends Officers
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across the various commands for the arrests and seizures, noting the agency’s continued focus on both drug supply reduction and public sensitisation under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
The agency said sensitisation programmes were also conducted in schools and communities across several states as part of efforts to reduce drug demand nationwide.
Investigations into the cases are ongoing.
