Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 74-year-old man for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine concealed in food items through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The suspect, identified as Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, was intercepted at the airport’s departure hall while preparing to board a British Airways flight to London.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, officers discovered 11 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside food items, including ground dry pepper, during a search of the suspect’s luggage.
Babafemi said the suspect was arrested on Saturday, March 14, 2026, while attempting to board flight BA082 bound for Heathrow Airport in London.
“A 74-year-old grandpa, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after a large consignment of cocaine concealed in foil papers and balloons was discovered in his luggage,” Babafemi said.
He explained that the illicit drugs were carefully hidden in food items to evade detection.
“During a thorough search of his bags, officers found blocks of cocaine weighing about 11 kilograms concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper,” he added.
The NDLEA also reported several other drug-related arrests across the country.
In Lagos, Babafemi said operatives arrested Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island while she was allegedly trying to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis.
“She was found with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest,” Babafemi said.
According to him, Olalowo later claimed the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was subsequently arrested the same day.
“Ibrahim confirmed ownership of the illicit drugs during interrogation. Investigations further revealed he had earlier been arrested, convicted, and served a two-and-a-half-year jail term for a similar offence in 2015,” Babafemi stated.
In another operation on Lagos Island, NDLEA officers arrested two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, after discovering 68,000 tramadol pills concealed in a truck allegedly heading to Benin.
Further raids at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, believed to be the owner of the consignment, where officers also recovered a parcel containing 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for dispatch.
The agency said another suspect, Nwanosike Kelvin, was arrested during a separate raid at the market, with 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection recovered.
Elsewhere, NDLEA operatives arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, with 386 kilograms of skunk in Bebeji, while Isah Wako was apprehended in Gwagwalada with 282.2 kilograms of the same substance.
In Edo State, officers raided the Egwa Forest Reserve in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, where Chinedo Odalonu, 33, was arrested.
The agency said over 4,200 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on two farms, while 16.5 kilograms were recovered.
At the Apapa seaport, NDLEA operatives working with customs officials also intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in two containers that had been placed under surveillance following intelligence reports.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations across Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Edo states.
Marwa urged them to sustain the momentum in the agency’s campaign against illicit drugs.
“I commend our officers for their commitment and vigilance. We must continue to intensify efforts to curb both the supply and demand of illicit drugs across the country,” he said.
