The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 74-year-old man for allegedly attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items while travelling to the United Kingdom.
The suspect was apprehended at the departure hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while trying to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow, London, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi.
According to him, a thorough search of the suspect’s luggage led to the discovery of blocks of cocaine wrapped in foil papers and balloons, which had been hidden inside food items, including ground dry pepper.
“The septuagenarian, who claimed he was travelling to London, United Kingdom, for vacation, was arrested at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
“During a search of his luggage, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons,” Babafemi stated.
The agency also revealed several other arrests and drug seizures across the country.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence arrested Mrs. Maryam Olalowo in the early hours of March 9 at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street in Victoria Island while she was allegedly attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud.
Babafemi said the suspect was with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest. She reportedly told investigators that the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later arrested the same day.
He added that the husband admitted ownership of the illicit substances and that further investigation showed he had previously been arrested, convicted and sentenced to two and a half years in prison for a similar offence in 2015.
In another operation on Lagos Island, NDLEA operatives arrested Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim after discovering 68,000 tramadol pills in a truck believed to be transporting the drugs to Benin.
A follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, suspected to be the owner of the consignment. Officers also recovered a parcel containing 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for waybill delivery from his shop.
During another raid at the market, one Nwanosike Kelvin was arrested and 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection were recovered.
In separate operations, NDLEA officers arrested Magaji Dan Azumi with 386 kilograms of skunk in Bebeji and Isah Wako with 282.2 kilograms of the same substance in Gwagwalada.
In Edo State, operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve in Orhionmwon Local Government Area where Chinedo Odalonu was arrested. During the operation, officers destroyed 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk cultivated on two farms and recovered an additional 16.5 kilograms.
At Apapa Seaport, NDLEA officers working with customs officials intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in two containers that had earlier been placed under surveillance following intelligence reports.
What you should know
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is Nigeria’s primary agency responsible for combating drug trafficking and abuse.
The agency regularly conducts operations at airports, seaports and major markets to intercept narcotics being smuggled locally or internationally.
Cocaine, tramadol, codeine syrup and cannabis are among the most commonly seized drugs in Nigeria, often trafficked through organised networks targeting international routes.
