The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 39-year-old woman, Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat, alleged to be a key member and stash keeper of a trans-border cocaine trafficking syndicate, with drugs valued at over ₦5 billion recovered from her Lagos residence.
The arrest followed months of intelligence-led surveillance, nearly 20 months after NDLEA operatives dismantled a cocaine cartel operating between Lagos and Ogun states.
The syndicate was previously linked to a couple, Bolanle Lookman Dauda and Olayinka Toheebat Dauda, who were arrested in May 2024 while attempting to smuggle cocaine across the Nigeria-Ghana land border.
During that earlier operation, NDLEA officers intercepted the couple along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway with 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms.
A subsequent raid on their residence in Agbara, Ogun State, yielded eight additional blocks weighing 10 kilograms, bringing the total seizure to 57.5 kilograms.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said continued investigations led operatives to identify Simbiat as a critical link in the drug trafficking organisation.
“Determined to rein in every member of the syndicate, NDLEA operatives sustained follow-up intelligence and surveillance, which resulted in the identification of a 39-year-old female stash keeper, Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat, as a key member of the DTO,” Babafemi said.
He disclosed that Simbiat was arrested on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at her residence on Onasanya Street, Surulere, Lagos.
“A thorough search of her home led to the discovery of blocks of cocaine weighing 23.5 kilograms concealed in a black suitcase recovered from her children’s room,” Babafemi stated.
“She admitted ownership of the drug consignment, which has an estimated street value of over ₦5 billion.”
In related operations across the country, NDLEA operatives also recorded multiple arrests and seizures.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, a 36-year-old businessman, Nwanwene Robinson Destiny, was intercepted while attempting to board a flight to Milan, Italy.
Officials recovered 1,020 pills of tramadol and tapentadol concealed in his luggage.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he was to be paid €200 upon successful delivery of the opioids abroad.
At the Seme border in Badagry, NDLEA officers arrested a Beninese national, Leocardi Josu, who was allegedly attempting to enter Nigeria with 3,400 tablets of tramadol. Other arrests were recorded in Kogi, Oyo, Osun and Kaduna states, with large quantities of cannabis, tramadol and other controlled substances seized.
Commending the officers involved in the operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel to remain vigilant during the festive season.
“Our officers must continue to demonstrate professionalism and commitment, especially at this period, as we intensify efforts to curb drug supply and reduce demand across the country,” Marwa said.
