09th November, 2026 | News

NDLEA Arrests Ugandan Woman With 87 Cocaine Wraps at Lagos Airport, Uncovers N900m Drug Shipment

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old Ugandan woman, Farida Nansubuga, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.15 kilogrammes of cocaine out of Nigeria, following a nationwide crackdown that also uncovered illicit drug shipments valued at approximately N900 million.

Nansubuga was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while preparing to board a flight to Uganda with 87 wraps of cocaine allegedly concealed around her pelvic region.

According to the NDLEA, the suspect travelled to Nigeria on October 29 with members of her church delegation to attend a religious programme at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), located in Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that while other members of the delegation returned to Uganda after the programme, Nansubuga allegedly remained behind to collect a drug consignment arranged by an associate identified as Joy, who resides in Uganda.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the associate connected her with a Nigerian contact who arranged for her to receive the cocaine before her scheduled departure.

The suspect was intercepted during a joint passenger-screening operation involving NDLEA officers and aviation security personnel at Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport.

A preliminary search raised suspicion, prompting officers to conduct a further examination in a designated private search room, where 87 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.150 kilogrammes were recovered.

The agency alleged that Nansubuga was promised at least $1,000 for delivering the consignment in Uganda.

NDLEA Intercepts N900 Million Tapentadol Shipment at Lagos Airport

In a separate operation at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives intercepted 750,000 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg, weighing 526 kilogrammes and estimated to be worth approximately N900 million.

The shipment, imported from Ahmedabad, India, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight, was allegedly falsely declared as Paracetamol 500mg.

According to Babafemi, the consignment was packed in 11 cartons concealed within two wooden structures.

A joint examination conducted on November 6 with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies revealed that 10 cartons contained Tapentadol tablets, while the remaining carton contained paracetamol.

NDLEA Arrests Suspects Over Cannabis and Synthetic Drug Shipments

The agency also intercepted 32 parcels of Loud, a potent cannabis strain weighing 16.15 kilogrammes, concealed inside two wooden sofas shipped from Houston, Texas, United States.

A freight agent, Ibrahim Abdulwaheed Adewale, was arrested while attempting to clear the consignment.

A follow-up operation on November 6 led to the arrest of a 34-year-old Ibadan-based caterer, Adeoye Sarafa Ojo, who allegedly arrived to collect the shipment.

The suspect reportedly told investigators that he was acting on the instructions of a friend, Taiwo Anuoluwapo Olusegun.

In another investigation, the NDLEA uncovered a suspected international trafficking network allegedly involved in importing chemicals used in the production of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis substance, from the United Kingdom.

The investigation followed the interception of nine parcels concealed in cartons of snacks aboard an Air Peace flight from the UK on October 23.

Further operations led to the arrest of two freight agents, Afolabi Wale and Okwuite Benjamin Ojone.

The agency said it recovered 1.20 kilogrammes of cannabis and 28.65 kilogrammes of chemicals suspected to be intended for synthetic cannabis production.

NDLEA Intercepts Drugs Destined for UK and Australia

The agency also reported several interceptions involving international courier shipments.

In Lagos, operatives recovered 46 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.2 kilogrammes, packaged in two cartons and reportedly destined for the United Kingdom.

Other interceptions included:

• 296 tablets of Swinol destined for Australia.
• Multiple consignments of tramadol intended for the United Kingdom.
• Tramadol capsules concealed in vitamin C containers.
• Tramadol tablets hidden inside female headwear.

The NDLEA said the discoveries highlighted the use of everyday household items, furniture, clothing and food packaging to conceal illicit substances during international transportation.

Major Drug Seizures Recorded Across Nigerian States

Beyond airport operations, the agency reported several arrests and drug seizures across Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Taraba, Enugu and Delta states.

In Lagos, a 32-year-old suspect, Abubakar Ali, was arrested at Marine Beach, Apapa, following the discovery of a suspected drug storage facility inside his apartment.

Recovered substances included tramadol, pregabalin, diazepam, codeine and cannabis.

In Ondo State, operatives recovered 148 bags of cannabis weighing 1,818 kilogrammes during a raid along Odofin Road, Uso.

Another operation at Board Forest resulted in the destruction of one hectare of cannabis plantation, the recovery of 242 kilogrammes of cannabis and the arrest of a 36-year-old suspect, Itoro Linus Akpan.

In neighbouring Ekiti State, a 53-year-old man, Agbo Paul Peter, was arrested at Osin Forest with 216 kilogrammes of cannabis and cannabis seeds.

Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a vehicle conveying 19 bags of cannabis weighing 201 kilogrammes along the Auchi-Ibillo Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

The driver, Abdulmumid Isah, 39, and a passenger, Danako Godwin, 25, were arrested.

In Taraba State, three suspects were apprehended at the NDLEA checkpoint in Lankaviri, Yorro Local Government Area, with 283 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 226.255 kilogrammes.

Enugu State operations also resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of cannabis, 24,000 capsules of tramadol and ketamine.

In Delta State, operatives arrested suspects in separate operations at Ozoro and Upper Agbarho, recovering skunk, cannabis seeds, methamphetamine, tramadol, Rohypnol and nitrous oxide.

Marwa Commends NDLEA Officers, Calls for Sustained Crackdown

Reacting to the arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers across the affected states for their efforts in disrupting drug trafficking networks.

Marwa particularly highlighted the arrest of the Ugandan woman, describing the incident as an example of how criminal networks could exploit religious gatherings and international travel to recruit individuals as drug couriers.

He urged officers to sustain enforcement operations against drug trafficking organisations while strengthening public awareness campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.

The agency said its nationwide operations were aimed at disrupting domestic drug distribution networks, preventing international trafficking and reducing the circulation of illicit substances across Nigeria.