NDLEA Arrests Italy-Based Businessman With 98 Cocaine Wraps At Enugu Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, identified as Joseph Cyril, for allegedly attempting to traffic cocaine through the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

Cyril was reportedly travelling to Italy through Addis Ababa and France when NDLEA operatives intercepted him at the airport’s departure hall.

Following his arrest, the suspect was placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing approximately 1.510 kilograms.

Preliminary investigations reportedly showed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026, before travelling to Awka, Anambra State, where he allegedly ingested the drug at a hotel.

He subsequently proceeded to Enugu to catch his flight back to Europe.

During questioning, the suspect reportedly disclosed that he had been involved in business activities in Italy for several years before agreeing to transport the drug consignment in exchange for €3,500.

He allegedly told investigators that he intended to use the payment to raise funds for his relocation to Germany, where his family resides.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have continued to disrupt several alleged attempts to move illicit drugs out of Nigeria and across the country.

In Lagos, operatives foiled an attempt to export 1.2 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia after the substance was discovered concealed inside 25 phone chargers at a courier company.

Another 500-gram consignment of cocaine allegedly destined for Italy was intercepted on Monday, August 3. The drug was reportedly hidden inside the false bottom of a backpack at a separate logistics company.

On Tuesday, August 4, NDLEA officers also intercepted a shipment containing 2.3 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which was being brought into the country from the United States.

In another operation along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway in Ondo State, operatives intercepted a truck travelling towards northern Nigeria with 1,633 kilograms of skunk concealed among bags of rice shafts.

Two suspects, identified as 40-year-old Buba Jamilu and 30-year-old Sanusi Ibrahim, were arrested in connection with the consignment.

NDLEA officers also recovered 147 kilograms of skunk from Ita Ogbolu forest during a separate raid conducted on August 3.

In Oyo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided a suspected drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, on August 3.

The operation reportedly led to the recovery of 731.03 kilograms of illicit drugs and the arrest of 57-year-old Felicia Thompson. Her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, was said to be at large.

In Edo State, NDLEA officers, supported by soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5 kilograms at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area.

The agency also arrested 31-year-old Chibuike Charles during a raid on a suspected drug joint at Samec by Powerline Base in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State. About seven kilograms of skunk were recovered during the operation.

In Lagos, a suspected drug dealer identified as Adome Claude Sikuru was arrested at the Fibre Market drug area in Badagry on August 8 following a three-month manhunt. Officers reportedly recovered 88.5 kilograms of skunk from him.

NDLEA officers, working alongside Customs and other security agencies, also discovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4 kilograms during an examination of a 40-foot container at the TinCan Island Port Complex in Lagos.

A suspect identified as Larry Nnaji was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Beyond its enforcement activities, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across the country, taking drug-abuse awareness programmes to schools, religious institutions, workplaces and communities.

The agency said recent sensitisation activities included engagements with students and staff of Islamic High School in Saki, Oyo State; Holy Ghost Academy in Nkpor, Anambra State; and Madarasatul Hidayatul Aulad Islamiyya in Gaya, Kano State.

The Rivers State Command also conducted a WADA advocacy visit to the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the various operations and urged personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.

He encouraged the officers to remain committed to disrupting drug trafficking networks while simultaneously strengthening prevention, public education and community-based initiatives against substance abuse.