…as NDLEA intercepts another Saudi Arabia, Europe-bound cocaine in phone chargers, backpack
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Joseph Cyril, a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman who ingested 98 wraps of cocaine. Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, stated on Sunday that operatives apprehended the suspect at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu while he was en route to Italy via Addis Ababa and France.
The suspect was nabbed at the departure hall on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930. He was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilograms.
Investigations and Confessions
Investigations revealed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026, and ingested the illicit substances in a hotel in Awka, Anambra State. He then proceeded to Enugu to board his flight to Europe.
In his statement, Cyril claimed he had operated a business in Italy for years before agreeing to traffic the consignment for a fee of EUR 3,500. He intended to use the funds to relocate to Germany, where his family resides.
Nationwide Crackdowns and Seizures
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos thwarted an attempt by drug trafficking syndicates to export 1.2 kilograms of cocaine concealed within 25 phone chargers destined for Saudi Arabia.
A similar bid to smuggle 500 grams of the same Class A drug hidden in the false bottom of a backpack to Italy was aborted at another logistics company on Monday, August 3, 2026. Additionally, officers intercepted a 2.3kg consignment of Loud—a synthetic strain of cannabis—originating from the United States at a Lagos shipping company on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Highway Patrols and Forest Raids
Along the Akure-Ilesha expressway, NDLEA patrol officers intercepted a northbound truck carrying 1,633 kilograms of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested in connection with the shipment. Furthermore, a raid in the Ita-Ogbolu forest on Monday, August 3, 2026, led to the recovery of 147kg of skunk.
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In Oyo State, acting on credible intelligence, operatives raided a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, on Monday, August 3, 2026. They recovered 731.03 kilograms of illicit substances and arrested 57-year-old Felicia Thompson, while her partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, remains at large.
In Edo State, operatives supported by military personnel recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5kg in Ewere, Iuleha, Owan West Local Government Area.
Port Seizures and Sensitisation Campaigns
In Abia State, drug joint operator Chibuike Charles, 31, was arrested during a raid at his base in Osisioma Local Government Area, where 7kg of skunk was seized. Meanwhile, notorious drug dealer Adome Claude Sikuru was nabbed at the fibre market drug jungle in Badagry, Lagos, following a three-month manhunt that yielded 88.5kg of skunk.
At the Tincan Port complex in Lagos, a joint examination of a 40-foot container by the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies uncovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4kg. A suspect, Larry Nnaji, has been arrested in connection with the seizure.
Across the country, NDLEA commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities, delivering enlightenment lectures to schools, worship centres, and workplaces. Notable engagements included visits to Islamic High School in Saki, Oyo State; Holy Ghost Academy in Nkpor, Anambra State; Madarasatul Hidayatul Aulad Islamiyya in Gaya, Kano State; and the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
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