Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a large consignment of cocaine and tramadol 225mg concealed inside 71 vehicle side mirrors scheduled for export to Libreville, Gabon through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the first batch of the illicit consignment, consisting of 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.60kg, was intercepted on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The drugs were concealed in vehicle mirrors and packed as cargo for an Air Côte d’Ivoire flight.
Following the discovery, NDLEA arrested a popular cargo agent, identified as Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict. Further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah, the next day, Sunday, July 20. A follow-up operation at Uzochukwu’s residence on Monday, July 21, led to the recovery of 11 more parcels of cocaine, weighing an additional 1kg, hidden in four side mirrors.
“This brings the total quantity of cocaine intercepted to 68 parcels, weighing 2.60kg,” Babafemi confirmed.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested a businesswoman, Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka, at her shop located within the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, on Friday, August 1. Her arrest followed the interception of 100 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of phenacetine—a known cutting agent—disguised in ladies’ lipsticks, which were to be exported to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Babafemi stated that two cargo agents linked to the lipstick consignment had earlier been arrested before Mrs. Nwafor was picked up. She reportedly confessed that she purchased the lipsticks used for concealing the drugs while her husband, Remigus Nwafor, who is now on the run, handled the concealment.
Also in Abuja, NDLEA conducted intelligence-led ‘stop and search’ operations on Wednesday, July 30, across Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa areas of the FCT, leading to the arrest of three dispatch riders. The riders, identified as Sabo Sule (24), Samuel Nnamdi (28), and Idris Jibrin (28), were found with 149.8 grams of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis.
In a separate bust, two other suspects, Aliyu Abubakar (25) and Adekunle Agbabiaka (30), were arrested along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway with 91.1kg of skunk.
