ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA): Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a series of major drug trafficking arrests across the country, including a woman who attempted to smuggle tramadol disguised as a pregnancy and an Ivorian national who excreted 82 wraps of cocaine at Kano airport.
Fake Pregnancy Arrest at Seme Border
On Monday, February 16, 2026, NDLEA officers intercepted Rabi Muhammad, a 35-year-old businesswoman from Kano, at the Seme land border. The suspect was found with a protruding stomach, which upon inspection turned out to be a pink-colored calabash strapped to her body. Inside were 3,200 capsules of tramadol, concealed to resemble a baby bump. She was reportedly en route to Cotonou, Benin Republic, to sell the drugs.
Cocaine Ingestion Case in Kano
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers arrested Michael Gohouri, a 41-year-old Ivorian also known as Anunwa Onyinye Michael, during passenger clearance for Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Milan via Addis Ababa. A body scan revealed he had ingested illicit substances. Under observation, he excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms. Investigations showed he had ingested the drugs in Kano and was promised €5,000 upon delivery in Milan.
Arrest of Kolapo Oladapo Raji, Real Estate CEO
The agency also apprehended Kolapo Oladapo Raji, 57, Chairman/CEO of Trans Fortress Global Resources, a prominent real estate firm. Raji, who had been on NDLEA’s watchlist since 2025, was arrested at his residence in Lekki, Lagos, on February 12, 2026. Officers recovered 89.2 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from four large bags in his apartment.
Additional Seizures Nationwide
- Agbara, Ogun State (Feb 19): Ugwuja Kingsley arrested with 56kg of skunk.
- Oshodi, Lagos (Feb 17): Ekwe Arinze caught with 76kg of skunk.
- Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Rivers State: Joint operation seized 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
- Kogi State (Okene/Lokoja Highway): Two suspects, Ezenma Kingsley (26) and Ezeja Anthony (29), arrested with 7,300 tramadol pills.
- Ondo State (Feb 19): Bright Timothy (28) and Godwin Bernard arrested with 393kg of skunk and seeds in Iju forest.
- Bauchi State (Feb 17): Yahaya Adamu Gimba (48) arrested with 936kg of skunk in Azare town; additional 85.8kg recovered from accomplices.
- Delta State (Feb 17): Mgbeme Ejeoma (34) arrested with 37kg of skunk in Ughelli.
- Edo State (Feb 17): NDLEA raided Etiosa camp in Owan West LGA, destroying 1,266.8kg of skunk across three farms. Two suspects, including a 68-year-old grandmother, were arrested.
War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Campaign
Alongside enforcement, NDLEA continued its WADA sensitization programs nationwide, holding lectures in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities. Recent outreach included Government Girls Secondary School in Yobe, Muslim Community High School in Oyo, and Model Government College in Lagos, among others.
