The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted several drug smuggling attempts at major Nigerian airports.
These seizures involved cocaine, rohypnol, and tramadol, with suspects arrested at both the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.
On December 15, the NDLEA arrested Chibuzo Olisaka, a businessman attempting to smuggle 256 wraps of cocaine through Kano’s airport.
The drugs, weighing six kilograms, were found packed inside his body during a routine screening.
Olisaka was on an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This seizure marked the largest cocaine interception at MAKIA since its establishment in 2006.
In another operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA officers foiled an attempt by Akorede Olanrewaju to export rohypnol to South Africa.
The drugs were hidden in a cargo containing garri, shoes, and singlets.
Olanrewaju, a repeat offender, had previously been convicted for a similar crime earlier in 2023.
After serving a two-year sentence, he returned to smuggle drugs again but was caught by authorities during his attempt.
Furthermore, on December 18, NDLEA agents arrested Cynthia Akaeen, a businesswoman traveling to Italy.
She was caught attempting to smuggle 9,190 tramadol tablets weighing six kilograms.
The tramadol was found in her luggage as she tried to board a Royal Air Maroc flight.
Akaeen claimed she was promised 1,000 Euros for delivering the drugs to Italy.
The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to curbing drug trafficking and maintaining vigilance at Nigeria’s airports.
Authorities continue to intensify efforts to intercept illicit drug shipments and bring offenders to justice.
