NDLEA busts fake pregnancy drug smuggling plot at Kano Airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have uncovered multiple drug trafficking operations across Nigeria, including a woman who hid thousands of opioid capsules in a fake pregnancy and an Ivorian national who excreted 82 wraps of cocaine at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

According to the agency, a 35-year-old businesswoman, Rabi Muhammad, was intercepted at the Seme border while attempting to travel to Benin Republic.

Officers discovered her protruding stomach was a disguise created with a calabash used to conceal 3,200 capsules of tramadol strapped to her body.

On the same day in Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested a 41-year-old Ivorian passenger during departure screening for an international flight.

A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs, and he later excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing about 1.49kg. Investigations showed he intended to deliver the drugs in Milan for a payment of €5,000.

In Lagos, the agency also arrested a real estate chief executive alleged to be leading a drug distribution network after recovering nearly 90kg of cannabis from his Lekki residence.

He reportedly admitted entering the drug trade after financing consignments for an overseas associate.

Further operations across Lagos, Rivers, Kogi, Ondo, Bauchi, Delta and Edo states led to multiple arrests and seizures, including large quantities of skunk, tramadol and codeine-based syrup. Officers also destroyed over a tonne of cannabis farms in Edo and arrested suspects, including a 68-year-old woman.

NDLEA said intelligence-driven searches at ports and highways resulted in the interception of concealed drugs in containers, vehicles and electronic devices, with several suspects now in custody for investigation and prosecution.

Chairman and Chief Executive of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across commands for the arrests and seizures, noting that the agency would sustain efforts targeting both drug supply and demand. He added that nationwide sensitisation under the War Against Drug Abuse campaign continues in schools, communities and workplaces.