NDLEA Busts 3 At Airports, Seizes 236 Wraps Of Coca!ne

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a China-based Nigerian businessman and two Angolan nationals after intercepting them at airports in Abuja and Kano with a total of 236 wraps of cocaine. According to Ireporter Online, the arrests were disclosed on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.

The 34-year-old Nigerian suspect, Ibeanu Vincent Chukwudulue, was apprehended on February 4, 2026, aboard Qatar Airways flight 1432 from Kano to China via Abuja and Doha. NDLEA operatives at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport screened him following intelligence, revealing he had ingested illicit substances. He subsequently excreted 52 pellets of cocaine weighing 735.95 grams. Ibeanu stated that he previously operated a business on Lagos Island before relocating to Guangzhou, China, in 2024.

At Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, two Angolan nationals, Mbandu Martins Makiadi, 50, and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, 52, were intercepted during passenger clearance for a flight to Istanbul via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940. After body scans confirmed drug ingestion, Mbandu expelled 76 wraps of cocaine weighing 920 grams, while Ngoma excreted 108 pellets totaling 1.33 kilograms. Both claimed they were recruited by an automobile spare parts dealer who promised $3,000 each upon successful delivery in Turkey.

In a related development, NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, foiled an attempt by convicted drug kingpin Olashupo Michael Oladimeji to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules (garri) to London. Olashupo, serving a five-year sentence at Ikoyi Correctional Centre, initiated the scheme through his company, Dimeji Express Logistics. Company staff member Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, who presented the consignment for export, was arrested.

NDLEA also intercepted 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in five jerry cans intended for the United Kingdom. The suspects, estate surveyor Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo and cargo agent Mustapha Quddus Opeyemi, were arrested in Lagos following follow-up operations. In Abuja, officers seized cannabis concealed inside a children’s toy guitar, leading to the arrest of the owner, Henry Onuma.

In Lagos, a raid on a Lekki residence uncovered 13.2 kilograms of synthetic cannabis (Colorado) and precursor chemicals, following the earlier seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide. Arrests were made in connection with the operation. Other nationwide arrests include a suspected female drug dealer in Ibadan, a suspect in Kwara State from whom over 105,000 tramadol pills were recovered, and five individuals in Edo State linked to 563.5 kilograms of skunk.

Across its commands, the NDLEA continued drug abuse sensitisation programmes in schools and communities in Oyo, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Katsina, and Lagos states. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended officers for their professionalism and urged continued efforts to reduce drug supply and demand.