The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has taken into custody, a China-based Nigerian businessman, Ibeanu Vincent Chukwudulue and two Angolan citizens; Mbandu Martins Makiadi and Ngoma Wilson Fernando after they excreted 260 wraps of cocaine.
The NDLEA said the suspects were arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, hAbuja and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
Spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest of the suspects on Sunday in a statement.
He said : ” The 34-year-old Ibeanu was arrested on Wednesday, 4th February, 2026 while on board a Qatar Airways flight 1432, from Kano to China enroute Abuja/Doha.
“Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives at the Abuja airport demanded that the suspect be deboarded following which he was taken for body scan.
“The result confirmed the suspect ingested illicit drug.
“He was thereafter placed under observation during which he excreted a total of 52 pellets of cocaine that weighed 735.95 grams.
“In his statement, Ibeanu said he was into business on Lagos Island before relocating to Guanzhou, China in 2024.
“The duo of Mbandu Martins Makiadi, 50, and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, 52, both Angolans were intercepted on Wednesday, 4th February at the screening point of the departure hall of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, during the outward clearance of passengers going to Istanbul, Turkey via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940.
“When they were taken for body scan, they tested positive for ingesting illicit drug.
“As a result, they were kept under observation for possible excretion.
“While Mbandu excreted a total of 76 wraps weighing 920 grams in seven excretions, Ngoma expelled 108 pellets that weighed 1.33 kilograms in five excretions.
“During interview, the suspects who hail from Hoji Ya Henda in Luanda, the capital of Angola claimed they were recruited by a Luanda-based automobile spare parts dealer who promised to pay them $3000 each upon successful delivery of the consignments in Turkey.”
The NDLEA further stated that it successfully thwarted attempt by a convicted drug kingpin, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules, popularly known as Garri to London, United Kingdom, through a Virgin Atlantic flight.
The NDLEA said its operatives thwarted the attempt at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.
“Olashupo is presently serving a five-year jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, after NDLEA arrested him in 2025 in connection with a case of unlawful conspiracy to export 17.90kg cocaine, and was successfully prosecuted, convicted and sentenced in charge number FHC/L/925C/2025, by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
“Not ready to give up on his criminal enterprise, the convict who is the Chief Executive Officer of Dimeji Express Logistics, located at 20 Omilade Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, initiated the latest scheme from behind the prison wall to export the 1.10kg cocaine, using his company.
“His bid, was however, uncovered on Thursday, 12th February when NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport intercepted a consignment of compressed block of cocaine, hidden in a sack of Garri which was further packed inside a carton.
“A staff of Dimeji Express Logistics, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan who presented the consignment for export was promptly arrested.
“Investigations revealed that Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, initiated the trafficking scheme from prison and directed Yusuf to pick the consignment at a location in Oshodi,” the statement explained.
In another development, the NDLEA said attempt by a 44-year-old estate surveyor , Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo to export 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in five jerry cans to the UK, was equally frustrated by its operatives at the export shed of the Lagos airport.
“The cargo agent, Mustapha Quddus Opeyemi who presented the consignment for export was initially arrested while a follow up operation led to the arrest of Adelaja at Ahmadiyya area of Lagos on Monday 9th February.
“In Abuja, NDLEA operatives on Thursday, 12th February intercepted a waybill package sent from Enugu containing children’s toy guitar.
“A search of the guitar revealed that it was used to conceal two parcels of Canadian Loud, a strain of Cannabis, weighing 59.2grams.
“A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Henry Onuma at Dream City Estate, Life Camp, Abuja
“In Lagos, NDLEA officers on Friday, 13th February raided a 4-bedroom duplex at 2 Alexandria Terrace, Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, used for the production and storage of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis.
“The raid followed the seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide at Iyare Motor Park, Ajah–Epe expressway, a consignment intended for Benin City, Edo State.
“The driver of the vehicle moving the shipment, Amos Innocent was arrested while Victor Oyedeji was nabbed at his Lekki home where 13.2 kilograms of freshly produced Colos were recovered in addition to precursor chemicals.
“A notorious female drug dealer in Ibadan, Oyo state, Oluwayemisi Bunmi, 45, was on Wednesday, 11th February arrested at her enclave in Hope, Alakia area of the state capital.
“Recovered from her include: 1.189kg Colos, skunk; 320grams of methamphetamine; monetary exhibit of ₦2,975,000 and two cars: a Navy blue Toyota Matrix car marked JJJ 629 FQ and a Sky blue Toyota Matrix car with registration number LND 602 AQ,” NDLEA stated.
Babafemi disclosed further that no fewer than 105,400 pills of tramadol were recovered from a suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi, 43, when his J5 vehicle marked DTM-765XA, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Bode Saadu area of Kwara State on Thursday, 12th February.
He said : ” In Edo State, five suspects: Murtala Mohammed, 37; Abdulkadir Idris Mohammed, 29; Ufoma Edafe, 40; Anthony Aghati, 46; and Emmanuel Owalu Ekele, 39, were arrested on Saturday, 14th February when NDLEA operatives raided the Yoruba Camp, Olumoye Forest, in Ovia North East LGA, where 563.5 kilograms of skunk were recovered.”
The statement said NDLEA officers across all commands and formations continued with their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities during the week under review.
The statement said WADA sensitization activities took them to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others.
The activities carried out include enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso, Oyo; Government Day Secondary School, Yola, Adamawa; Government Secondary School, Tudun Gwandara, Lafia, Nasarawa; Government Girls Technical and Commercial College, Charanchi, Katsina; and Ajumoni Senior Secondary School, Mushin, Lagos, among others.
In his reaction to the arrests and seizures, the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the officers and men of the MAKIA, MMIA, NAIA, Lagos, Edo, Kwara, FCT, and Oyo Commands for their efforts and professionalism.
Marwa enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue the current balanced approach to their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts. (vitalnewsngr.com)
