The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 52-year-old businessman, Ejiofor Godwin Emeka, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) for attempting to smuggle 127 wraps of cocaine into Nigeria.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, who disclosed the arrest in a statement on Sunday, October 12, 2025, Emeka was caught after a body scan detected the cocaine hidden inside his body.

Emeka, who owns clothing shops in Lagos and Onitsha, arrived in Nigeria from Bangkok, Thailand, on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 on October 8. NDLEA officers later confirmed that the 1.388 kilograms of cocaine were concealed in his stomach and private parts.

Following the detection, NDLEA operatives placed the suspect under medical observation, during which he excreted some of the cocaine pellets, confirming the smuggling attempt.

In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA agents intercepted three packages of illicit drugs bound for the United Kingdom. The drugs — including methamphetamine, tramadol, pentazocine, and cannabis — were cleverly concealed in glass ceramics, vitamin bottles, and herbal packs.

The agency also arrested several suspects, including a freight agent and a cab driver, linked to another shipment of rohypnol pills headed for South Africa.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives across several states continued their nationwide crackdown:

In Edo State, 47 kilograms of skunk were recovered in Ugbekpe Ekperi.

In Osun State, two men were arrested with 635 kilograms of skunk hidden in a vehicle.

In Rivers State, officers seized 8.5 kilograms of the drug.

In Katsina, a suspect was caught with 29.5 kilograms of cannabis.

According to Babafemi, these arrests underscore the NDLEA’s ongoing commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and ensuring that Nigeria does not become a hub for illicit drug trade.

“These operations reflect the agency’s strengthened intelligence capacity and unwavering resolve to protect Nigeria from the devastating impact of drug abuse and trafficking,” Babafemi added.