Written by Myra, Journalist for SpringNewsNG | June 22, 2025

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 43-year-old Lagos-based make-up artist, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, for attempting to smuggle 2.2 kilograms of cocaine to India under the guise of travelling for fibroid surgery.

The arrest was confirmed on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja. Adekoya was apprehended on Monday, June 16, while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha.

According to Babafemi, the suspect’s luggage was thoroughly searched at the boarding gate, leading to the discovery of two large parcels of cocaine expertly concealed in the walls of her suitcase. She initially claimed she was travelling for fibroid surgery, but later confessed she embarked on the trip for financial gain.

Drug Kingpin Behind the Operation

Further investigation revealed that Adekoya was recruited by a drug kingpin identified as Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, the owner of Rockford Hotel in the Sango area of Ogun State. Adekanbi is currently at large and is believed to reside in the Igbe Laara area of Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

NDLEA Foils Drug Shipments in Lagos Courier Firm

In a related operation on Thursday, June 19, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted a package at a courier firm in Lagos containing 1.3kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in sewn female dresses. The parcel was destined for Bahrain.

The same day, officers also uncovered 850 grams of cocaine hidden inside cloth hangers, bound for Australia.

Drug Busts Across States: Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Edo, FCT

In Bauchi, two suspects, Ibrahim Galadima (37) and Ibrahim Muhammed (28), were arrested on the Bauchi-Darazo road on June 16. They were found with over 1 million pills of opioids, including tramadol, diazepam, and Exol-5.

In Kaduna, Bishir Isyaku (38) was apprehended on June 17 along the Kaduna-Zaria expressway with 14.2kg of skunk hidden in charcoal sacks and 198kg of rubber solution.

Meanwhile, a raid on June 18 in Abuja’s Karu Abattoir and Torabora areas led to the arrest of six suspects, including Murtala Adamu and Ahmed Ismai’l, with 6.9kg of skunk and 59 grams of methamphetamine recovered.

More Arrests in Kano and Kwara

In Kano, operatives intercepted Umar Hamisu (19) and Dahiru Abdullahi (32) on Zaria-Kano road with 56.2kg of skunk. Another suspect, Obiwuru Henry (27), was caught with 23,720 capsules of tramadol and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine in Fagge LGA.

Elsewhere, Abubakar Modu (60) and Abdulkadir Muhammed (28) were arrested with 36.6kg and 32kg of skunk, respectively.

In Ilorin, Kwara State, a 22-year-old student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Olotin Nifemi, was arrested on June 19 for allegedly selling drugs to fellow students. She was found with 1kg of skunk at her base on Kwara Poly Road.

Massive Cannabis Farm Destroyed in Edo

On June 20, NDLEA operatives destroyed over 4,226kg of skunk at a cannabis camp in Ugbada, Uzebba forest, Owan West LGA, Edo State. A suspect, Albert Shamaki (33), was arrested during the raid.

A separate operation on June 19 at a supermarket in Emado, Esan West LGA, led to the arrest of Esther Abumere (28) and seizure of various illicit drugs including Colorado, Loud, Molly, and Tramadol. Another raid at a shop in Idumeka, Igueben, resulted in the arrest of Eko Gift (38) and seizure of 1.143kg of skunk.

NDLEA Chairman Commends Nationwide Operations

NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s operatives for their coordinated efforts across MMIA, DOGI, and multiple state commands, stressing the importance of balancing drug supply reduction with demand control in the national war on drugs.