Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items while travelling to the United Kingdom.
The suspect was apprehended at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 bound for Heathrow Airport, London, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
The agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrest in a statement, noting that a search of the suspect’s luggage uncovered blocks of cocaine wrapped in foil papers and balloons and hidden inside food items, including ground dry pepper.
Babafemi said, “A 74-year-old grandpa, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, has been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after a large consignment of cocaine was discovered concealed in his luggage.
“The septuagenarian, who claimed he was travelling to London, United Kingdom, for vacation, was arrested at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
“During a search of his luggage, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons.”
The agency also announced several other arrests and drug seizures across the country.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island, while allegedly attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis. She was reportedly with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest.
According to Babafemi, Olalowo claimed the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was subsequently arrested the same day. Further investigations revealed that Ibrahim had previously been arrested, convicted, and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment for a similar offence in 2015.
In another operation on Lagos Island, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, after recovering 68,000 tramadol pills loaded in a truck allegedly meant for transportation to Benin Republic.
A follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, believed to be the owner of the consignment. Officers also recovered a parcel containing 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for waybill delivery from his shop.
During another raid in the market, operatives arrested Nwanosike Kelvin and recovered 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection.
In separate operations, NDLEA officers arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, with 386 kilograms of skunk in Bebeji, Kano State, and Isah Wako with 282.2 kilograms of the same substance in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory.
In Edo State, operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, where they arrested Chinedo Odalonu, 33, destroyed 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk on two farms, and recovered an additional 16.5 kilograms of the substance.
At the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers, working in collaboration with customs officials, intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in two containers that had been placed on a watch list following intelligence reports.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended officers in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Edo states for the arrests and seizures recorded over the past week, urging them to sustain the fight against the production, trafficking, and abuse of illicit drugs in the country.
