Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have foiled attempts by suspected traffickers to smuggle cocaine and opioids through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, and the Seme land border in Lagos to Europe and other destinations.
The agency arrested a Kano-based businesswoman, Rabi Muhammad, 35, at the departure tarmac of Seme land border on February 16, 2026 while attempting to cross to Cotonou in Benin Republic with a protruding tummy.
A full body search later revealed that her pregnancy was fake. According to the agency, the suspect had strapped a pink-coloured calabash to her stomach to simulate a baby bump and conceal 3,200 capsules of tramadol, which she allegedly intended to sell in Cotonou.
NDLEA operatives at the screening point of the departure hall intercepted a 41-year-old Ivorian, Michael Gohouri, also known as Anunwa Onyinye Michael, during outward clearance for Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Milan, Malpensa via Addis Ababa.
A body scan confirmed ingestion of illicit substances. Under observation, he excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilogrammes.
Investigations showed that Gohouri arrived in Lagos from Milan on January 17, 2026, and travelled between Lagos and Enugu for three weeks before proceeding to Kano, where he stayed for a week. He allegedly ingested the cocaine consignment in his hotel room and was to be paid 5,000 Euros upon delivery in Milan.
The suspect claimed his father, Bade Gohouri, is Ivorian, while his mother is from Anunwa compound, Urunnebo village, Ukwan in Enugu State. He reportedly applied for asylum in Italy in 2013. He also holds a Nigerian National Identification Number bearing the name AnunwaOnyinye Michael.
In a related development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trans Fortress Global Resources, MrKolapoOladapoRaji, was arrested by NDLEA operatives.
Raji, 57, had been on the agency’s watch list since 2025 following intelligence reports. He was arrested at his Safe Court Apartment residence in Ikate, Lekki, Lagos on February 12, 2026 after returning from the United Kingdom.
A search of his residence led to the recovery of four large bags containing parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 89.20 kilogrammes. A 2024 model Toyota Hilux was also recovered at the point of arrest.
In his statement, he allegedly admitted involvement in the illicit drug trade after financing consignments for an overseas associate, adding that profits running into hundreds of millions of naira encouraged him to establish an independent distribution channel.
In another operation in Lagos, Ugwuja Kingsley was arrested with 56 kilogrammes of skunk at Agbara on February 19, while EkweArinze was caught with 76 kilogrammes of the same substance at a motor park in Oshodi on February 17, 2026.
At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, a total of 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup were discovered in a container during a joint examination by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies. The agency said it had requested a 100 per cent physical examination of the container following processed intelligence.
Along the Okene/Lokoja highway in Kogi State, NDLEA operatives recovered 7,300 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in two sound systems during a search of a commuter bus travelling from Lagos to Kano on February 15.
A follow-up operation in Zuba, Abuja on Tuesday February 17 led to the arrest of two suspects linked to the consignment: Ezenma Kingsley, 26, and Ezeja Anthony, 29.
In Ondo State, Bright Timothy, 28, was arrested at Iju forest on February 19 with 195 kilogrammes of skunk and seeds, while Godwin Bernard was nabbed with 198 kilogrammes of the same substance during a raid on their enclaves.
In Bauchi State, NDLEA seized 936 kilogrammes of skunk from YahayaAdamuGimba, 48, at Azare town, Katagum LGA, on February 17. Another 85.8 kilogrammes of the substance was recovered from YahayaAdamuGimba, NasiruSuleman, 36, Abdul Umar, 25, and MusaSuleman, 21, also in Azare.
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