Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 12 large parcels of cocaine weighing 2.8 kilograms concealed in false bottom of food flasks heading to the United Kingdom.
Spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, confirmed this in a statement obtained by Vital News on Sunday.
The cocaine consignment was intercepted at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, April 9, 2026 by NDLEA operatives attached to the export shed of the airport.
The drug was intended to be taken to the UK through Virgin Atlantic Airline flight from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Two cargo agents involved in the export bid ; Ama Obinna Ufeim, 33, and Ogabi Monday Akorede, 39, were swiftly arrested by operatives.
The statement said : ” Further investigation revealed a 52-year-old freight and forwarding agent, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola as the sender of the consignment and he was arrested in a follow-up operation.”
In a similar operation, NDLEA said its officers at the import shed of the Lagos airport on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 intercepted a consignment of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, with a gross weight of 2.90 kilograms concealed in snack food packs, which arrived from the United States of America aboard a Delta Airlines flight.
“Two cargo clearing agents : Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun, were initially arrested in connection with the seizure before the consignee, Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, a 29-year-old fashion designer, was nabbed in a follow-up operation at 3 Oba Ogunji road, Ogba, Lagos, on Monday 13th April.
“In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kaduna-Zaria highway by Gwargwaje Zaria on Monday, 13th April intercepted a trailer conveying cement heading to Hadeja in Jigawa State.
“A search of the truck led to the recovery of 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 847 kilograms.
“The truck driver Umar Garba Haruna, 33, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
“A 53-year-old female suspect, Alice Sunday Udoh, was arrested on Thursday, 16th April when NDLEA officers supported by soldiers raided a forest in Uwet community, Akamkpa LGA, Cross River State, where 15,000 kilograms of skunk on six hectares of farmland were destroyed and 119kg of same substance recovered.
Another cannabis farm was raided on Tuesday, 14th April at Saboro camp, Ovia North East LGA, Edo State where NDLEA operatives destroyed 2,281.43kg of same psychoactive substance, while three suspects: Nweke Smart, 27; Christopher Egbe, 62; and Monday Ayan, 45, were arrested, with the duo of Christopher and Monday caught with 38.5kg cannabis and its seeds.
“Two suspects: Sunday Odili, 49, and Ijenebe Joshua, 39, were nabbed with 87.838kg skunk and seeds at Powerline area of Okwo, Delta State on Friday, 17th April.
“In Lagos, two suspects: Chinedu Ogbekene and Zindozin Aloukou Bienvenu were arrested on Wednesday, 15th April at Mile 2, Lagos/Badagry expressway while conveying 11,900 capsules of tramadol and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection in a truck to Ghana.
“Same day, NDLEA operatives raided a two-storey building at Petti, Lagos Island, where a total of 95.8kg skunk was recovered,” the statement explained.
The NDLEA stated that its various commands and formations across the country also scaled up their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) activities during the week under review.
The Agency said the WADA sensitization activities were held in schools, worship centres, work places and communities.
“These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and staff of Alfurqan Islamic School, Paiko, Niger state; Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar, Cross River; Heritage Model School, Ankpa, Kogi; Government Day Junior and Senior Secondary School, Kankia, Katsina; Government Senior Secondary School, Rano, Kano, and De Ambassador Secondary School, Epe, Lagos State, among others,” NDLEA said.
In his reaction to the arrest and seizures, the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers and men of MMIA, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Kaduna, and Lagos Commands for their diligence and hard work.
Marwa noted that their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities.
He then charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the current tempo and remain focused in the core mandate of the NDLEA. (vitalnewsngr.com)
