NDLEA arrests UK-bound 74-year-old grandfather with 11kg of cocaine

Cityscope, Crime Diary, International

ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) March 15 — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old grandfather, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, after discovering a large consignment of cocaine concealed in foil papers and balloons inside his luggage.

According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, the septuagenarian claimed he was travelling to London for vacation and was attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow on Saturday, March 14, 2026. “During a search of his luggage, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons,” Babafemi said.

In a separate operation, the agency, acting on credible intelligence, arrested Mrs Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites, Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the early hours of Monday, March 9. She was caught 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. She confessed that the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later taken into custody the same day, while she was released immediately.

Ibrahim admitted ownership of the illicit substances in his statement. Further investigation revealed that he had previously been arrested, convicted, and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment for a similar offence in 2015.