NDLEA busts drug ring, recovers 236 cocaine wraps from three suspects at Abuja, Kano Airports

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a China-based Nigerian businessman and two Angolan nationals after they excreted a combined 236 wraps of cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

The suspects — Ibeanu Vincent Chukwudulue, 34, and Angolan nationals Mbandu Martins Makiadi, 50, and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, 52 — were apprehended on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, during separate interdiction operations based on intelligence reports.

Ibeanu was intercepted while boarding a Qatar Airways Flight 1432 from Kano to China via Abuja and Doha. Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA officers at the Abuja airport ordered that he be deboarded for screening. A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit substances.

Placed under observation, the suspect subsequently excreted 52 pellets of cocaine weighing 735.95 grams. In his statement, Ibeanu disclosed that he previously operated a business on Lagos Island before relocating to Guangzhou, China, in 2024.

Two Angolans Caught En Route to Turkey

At the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, the Angolan duo were arrested at the departure screening point while preparing to board Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET940 to Istanbul, Turkey, via Addis Ababa.

Body scans revealed both had ingested narcotics. Under observation, Mbandu excreted 76 wraps of cocaine weighing 920 grams in seven excretions, while Ngoma expelled 108 pellets weighing 1.33 kilograms in five excretions.

The suspects, both from Hoji Ya Henda in Luanda, Angola, told investigators they were recruited by a spare parts dealer in Luanda who promised them $3,000 each upon successful delivery of the drugs in Turkey.

Convicted Drug Kingpin Orchestrates Fresh Smuggling Attempt from Prison

In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, foiled an attempt by a convicted drug trafficker, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules (garri) to London on a Virgin Atlantic flight.

Oladimeji is currently serving a five-year jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre following his 2025 conviction for conspiracy to export 17.90 kilograms of cocaine in a case prosecuted at the Federal High Court, Lagos (Charge No: FHC/L/925C/2025).

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Investigations revealed that despite his incarceration, the convict — Chief Executive Officer of Dimeji Express Logistics, Mafoluku, Oshodi — masterminded the latest trafficking plot from prison. NDLEA officers intercepted the consignment on February 12 at the export shed of the Lagos airport, where compressed cocaine blocks were discovered hidden inside a sack of garri packed in a carton.

A staff member of the logistics firm, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, who presented the cargo for export, was arrested. Further inquiries showed Oladimeji had directed him to collect the illicit consignment from a location in Oshodi.

Estate Surveyor, Cargo Agent Arrested Over UK-Bound Skunk

In another operation at the Lagos airport export shed, NDLEA officers thwarted an attempt by a 44-year-old estate surveyor, Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo, to export 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in five jerry cans to the United Kingdom.

Cargo agent Mustapha Quddus Opeyemi, who processed the shipment, was initially arrested, while a follow-up operation led to Adelaja’s arrest in the Ahmadiyya area of Lagos on February 9.

Canadian Loud Hidden in Toy Guitar

In Abuja, NDLEA operatives on February 12 intercepted a waybill parcel from Enugu containing a children’s toy guitar. A search revealed two parcels of “Canadian Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 59.2 grams concealed inside the instrument.

A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the consignment’s owner, Henry Onuma, at Dream City Estate, Life Camp.

Synthetic Cannabis Factory Busted in Lekki

In Lagos, NDLEA officers raided a four-bedroom duplex at 2 Alexandria Terrace, Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, used for the production and storage of “Colorado,” a synthetic cannabis variant.

The raid followed the earlier seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide at Iyare Motor Park along the Ajah–Epe Expressway, destined for Benin City, Edo State. The driver, Amos Innocent, was arrested, while Victor Oyedeji was apprehended at the Lekki residence. Officers recovered 13.2 kilograms of freshly produced “Colos” and precursor chemicals from the premises.

Multiple Arrests Across States

In Ibadan, Oyo State, a suspected drug dealer, Oluwayemisi Bunmi, 45, was arrested at her base in the Hope Alakia area. Recovered items included 1.189 kilograms of “Colos,” skunk, 320 grams of methamphetamine, ₦2.975 million in cash, and two Toyota Matrix vehicles.

In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a J5 vehicle marked DTM-765XA at Bode Saadu, recovering 105,400 tramadol pills. The driver, Kamilu Abdullahi, 43, was arrested.

Similarly, in Edo State, five suspects were arrested during a raid on the Yoruba Camp in Olumoye Forest, Ovia North East Local Government Area, where 563.5 kilograms of skunk were recovered.

NDLEA Intensifies Anti-Drug Advocacy

Beyond enforcement, NDLEA commands nationwide sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools and communities. Enlightenment lectures were delivered at institutions including Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso; Government Day Secondary School, Yola; Government Secondary School, Tudun Gwandara, Lafia; Government Girls Technical and Commercial College, Charanchi; and Ajumoni Senior Secondary School, Mushin.

Commending officers across MAKIA, MMIA, NAIA, Lagos, Edo, Kwara, FCT, and Oyo Commands for their professionalism, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged continued commitment to balancing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction efforts nationwide.