By Our Correspondent

National News – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Emeka, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside food items.

Emeka was apprehended at the departure hall while preparing to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow, London, on March 14, 2026.

Blocks of cocaine were discovered wrapped in foil and balloons, concealed in ground dry pepper and other food products.

In Lagos, NDLEA officers arrested Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites for attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud cannabis.

Olalowo was with her three children, including an infant, at the time of arrest.

Her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo, later confessed ownership of the drugs; he had previously served a 2.5-year prison sentence in 2015 for a similar offense.

NDLEA operations extended across Lagos Island, where officers recovered 68,000 tramadol pills intended for transport to Benin from suspects Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim.

A follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, owner of the consignment, and the recovery of 1,000 tramadol tablets from his shop.

Another market operation resulted in the arrest of Nwanosike Kelvin with 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection.

Further operations across Nigeria included arrests of Magaji Dan Azumi (386 kilograms of skunk in Bebeji) and Isah Wako (282.2 kilograms in Gwagwalada).

NDLEA officers in Orhionmwon Local Government Area destroyed 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk and recovered 16.5 kilograms from Chinedo Odalonu’s farm.

At Apapa Seaport, 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup were intercepted in collaboration with customs officials.

Buba Marwa, NDLEA Chairman, commended officers in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Edo for their vigilance, urging continued efforts to curb both drug supply and demand in Nigeria.