…cocaine consignment, weighing 2.80 kilograms, was uncovered by operatives attached to the export shed.
LAGOS, NIGERIA — The iNews Times reports that a major NDLEA drug bust has led to the interception of 12 large parcels of cocaine concealed inside the false bottom of food flasks bound for the United Kingdom through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) confirmed that the cocaine consignment, weighing 2.80 kilograms, was uncovered by operatives attached to the export shed of the Lagos airport on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
According to a statement signed by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the illicit consignment was scheduled to be transported aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight to the UK before it was intercepted in what officials described as a well-coordinated intelligence-led operation.
The drug bust resulted in the swift arrest of two cargo agents allegedly involved in the export attempt: Ama Obinna Ufeim, 33, and Ogabi Monday Akorede, 39.
Further investigation by the anti-narcotics agency led to the arrest of a 52-year-old freight and forwarding agent, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, identified as the sender of the cocaine shipment.
Security sources say concealment in food flasks with false compartments reflects evolving tactics by drug traffickers attempting to bypass airport screening systems. However, enhanced surveillance and profiling techniques at MMIA have reportedly strengthened interception capabilities.
In a related NDLEA drug bust at the import shed of the Lagos airport, operatives intercepted 2.90 kilograms of “Loud,” a strong strain of cannabis, concealed in snack food packs.
The consignment arrived from the United States aboard a Delta Airlines flight on Wednesday, April 8.
Two cargo clearing agents, Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun were initially arrested in connection with the seizure. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of the consignee, 29-year-old fashion designer Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, at 3 Oba Ogunji Road, Ogba, Lagos, on Monday, April 13.
Officials say the back-to-back airport interceptions highlight persistent attempts by international drug syndicates to use Nigeria as a transit and destination point.
Beyond Lagos, the drug bust extended to Kaduna State, where operatives on patrol along the Kaduna-Zaria highway intercepted a cement-laden trailer heading to Hadeja in Jigawa State.
Upon searching the truck, officers recovered 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing a staggering 847 kilograms.
The truck driver, Umar Garba Haruna, 33, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Security analysts describe highway interceptions as crucial in disrupting domestic drug distribution networks that move narcotics across states.
In Cross River State, a joint operation involving NDLEA officers and military personnel led to the arrest of 53-year-old Alice Sunday Udoh.
The operation, conducted in a forest within Uwet community in Akamkpa Local Government Area, resulted in the destruction of 15,000 kilograms of skunk cultivated on six hectares of farmland. Additionally, 119 kilograms of processed cannabis were recovered.
The drug bust underscores the agency’s focus not only on trafficking routes but also on dismantling cultivation hubs that sustain supply chains.
In Edo State, operatives raided a cannabis farm at Saboro Camp in Ovia North East Local Government Area on Tuesday, April 14. A total of 2,281.43 kilograms of the psychoactive substance was destroyed.
Three suspects, Nweke Smart, 27; Christopher Egbe, 62; and Monday Ayan, 45 were arrested. Christopher and Monday were reportedly found with 38.5 kilograms of cannabis and seeds.
Similarly, in Delta State, two suspects, Sunday Odili, 49, and Ijenebe Joshua, 39 were arrested at the Powerline area of Okwo with 87.838 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, two suspects, Chinedu Ogbekene and Zindozin Aloukou Bienvenu, were arrested along the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway while transporting 11,900 capsules of tramadol and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection in a truck reportedly heading to Ghana.
On the same day, NDLEA operatives raided a two-storey building in Petti, Lagos Island, recovering 95.8 kilograms of skunk.
While sustaining enforcement actions, the agency continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across schools and communities nationwide.
Recent enlightenment lectures were held at; Alfurgan Islamic School, Paiko, Niger State, Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar, Heritage Model School, Ankpa, Kogi State, Government Day Junior and Senior Secondary School, Kankia, Katsina State, Government Senior Secondary School, Rano, Kano State, De Ambassador Secondary School, Epe, Lagos State.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers from MMIA, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Kaduna, and Lagos Commands for their coordinated efforts.
He noted that balancing supply reduction with public sensitisation remains central to the agency’s strategy and urged operatives nationwide to maintain the momentum.
The scale of this drug bust signals intensified enforcement against narcotics trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Experts note that cocaine trafficking through West Africa has attracted international attention in recent years, prompting tighter airport security and intelligence sharing.
The iNews Times will continue to monitor developments as investigations proceed and suspects face prosecution.
For now, the series of coordinated operations demonstrate the agency’s renewed drive to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates, disrupt supply chains, and protect communities from the devastating impact of narcotics.
