UK-Bound grandpa nabbed with 11kg cocaine at Abuja airport in balloons

Stanley Ihedigbo

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after discovering 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in his luggage while attempting to travel to the United Kingdom.

The suspect, who claimed he was travelling to London for vacation, was intercepted at the departure hall of the Abuja airport while preparing to board a British Airways flight BA082 bound for Heathrow, London, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

According to the agency, a thorough search of his luggage led to the discovery of blocks of cocaine carefully concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper.

The illicit substances were wrapped in foil papers and balloons in a bid to evade detection.

The arrest is part of a series of operations carried out by NDLEA operatives across the country in the past week, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of large consignments of narcotics and opioids.

In Lagos, NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of Monday, March 9, arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at Ikad Hotel and Suites located on Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island.

She was reportedly attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis. At the time of her arrest, she was with her three children, including an infant.

During interrogation, she reportedly confessed that the illicit drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was subsequently arrested later the same day. Authorities immediately released the woman while her husband remained in custody.

Further investigation revealed that Ibrahim had previously been arrested, convicted and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment for a similar offence in 2015.

In another operation at Ebute Ero area of Lagos Island, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, after recovering 68,000 pills of tramadol in 250mg and 225mg strengths.

The suspects had reportedly loaded the drugs into a truck and were preparing to transport them to the neighbouring Benin Republic.

A follow-up raid conducted on March 11 at the bustling Idumota Market on Lagos Island led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the consignment, Nnamdi Cyprian.

A search of his shop uncovered a parcel already packaged for waybill delivery containing 1,000 tablets of tramadol.
Another operation at Idumota Market on Friday, March 13, resulted in the arrest of Nwanosike Kelvin, with 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection recovered from his shop.

In Kano State, NDLEA operatives arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, at the Bebeji area with a massive consignment of 386 kilograms of skunk.

Similarly, officers in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory arrested Isah Wako, 42, with 282.2 kilograms of skunk.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives carried out a raid on the Egwa Forest Reserve in Aduan village, Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

During the operation, a suspect identified as Chinedo Odalonu, 33, was arrested while a total of 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk cultivated on two farms was destroyed. Officers also recovered an additional 16.5 kilograms of the same substance.

Codeine Shipment Intercepted in Apapa
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers also intercepted no fewer than 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in two containers at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on Saturday, March 14.

The interception occurred during a joint examination of the shipments by NDLEA officers, personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.

According to the agency, the containers had earlier been placed on a watch list following credible intelligence suggesting the concealment of opioids in the shipments.

The NDLEA also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns across several states during the week.

The sensitisation programmes were delivered in schools including ERCC Secondary School in Duguru, Nasarawa State; Awoyemi Commercial High School in Okeho, Oyo State; Ogunu Primary School in Delta State; Seven Angels University Secondary School in Calabar, Cross River State; and Edo National College in Iguobazuwa, Edo State.

The Zone 11 Command of the agency also paid an advocacy visit to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, as part of efforts to strengthen anti-drug campaigns.

NDLEA Chairman Commends Officers
Reacting to the arrests and seizures, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers and men of the agency in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Edo and the Federal Capital Territory for their efforts.

He also praised personnel across various commands for maintaining a balance between drug supply reduction and demand reduction strategies in the ongoing fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the country.

The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying enforcement operations and public awareness campaigns aimed at curbing the menace of illicit drugs across Nigeria.