The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug smuggling with the arrest of a businessman attempting to bring a large consignment of cocaine into Nigeria.
On Sunday, December 15, 2024, operatives at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) intercepted 256 wraps of cocaine, weighing a total of six kilograms, hidden inside the body of the suspect, Olisaka Chibuzo Calistus. The cocaine was discovered during a routine screening of passengers arriving on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This seizure marks the largest single cocaine interception at the Kano Airport since the NDLEA’s MAKIA Command was established in 2006. The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Sunday, describing the operation as a major success in combating drug trafficking at the airport.
Businessman Attempts Smuggling Cocaine Through Body-Packing
Olisaka, who claimed to be involved in the import and export business, was subjected to a body scan that revealed the hidden drugs. The technique of “body-packing,” where drugs are concealed inside the body, is a common method used by smugglers to bypass security checks.
The seizure has drawn significant attention, as it highlights the ongoing challenges in tackling drug trafficking into Nigeria, particularly at key international airports. The large quantity of cocaine is believed to be part of a larger trafficking network.
NDLEA’s Continued Fight Against Drug Smuggling
This arrest is part of a wider crackdown by the NDLEA on drug trafficking across the country. In a related incident, NDLEA officers thwarted another smuggling attempt at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. An ex-convict, Olanrewaju Bada Akorede, was arrested for attempting to export a consignment of rohypnol to South Africa. The drugs were hidden among a cargo shipment containing everyday items like gari, shoes, and men’s singlets.
Olanrewaju had previously been convicted for a similar crime earlier this year when he was caught attempting to ship 4.90kg of tramadol and 2.10kg of rohypnol to South Africa. He was sentenced to two years in prison but paid a fine and was released before repeating the crime.
Drug Seizures Across Nigeria: NDLEA’s Nationwide Crackdown
The NDLEA’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking has been gaining momentum, with several other significant seizures reported in recent days. On December 18, 2024, NDLEA officers arrested Italy-based businesswoman Cynthia Akaeen at Lagos Airport. She was attempting to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Italy with 9,190 tablets of various brands of tramadol, weighing six kilograms. According to the suspect, she had been promised 1,000 Euros for successfully delivering the drugs to Italy.
Meanwhile, a major raid by the NDLEA in Onitsha, Anambra State, led to the seizure of 418,330 pills of tramadol, as well as 8,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup. The raid was part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal drug markets across the country.
Seizures at Tincan Island Port and Maiduguri
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives at Tincan Island Port made another major seizure, recovering 180,000 bottles of codeine syrup from a container originating from Mundra, India. The consignment was flagged during a joint examination by NDLEA officers, Customs, and other security agencies. The consignee, Makata Emmanuel, was promptly arrested.
Further arrests were made in Maiduguri, Borno State, where authorities recovered large quantities of tramadol and cannabis from suspects. On December 16, 2024, 293,000 capsules of tramadol, a pistol, and live ammunition were found on two individuals in a Toyota Sienna bus. Another suspect, Sanusi Abdul Hamid, was arrested with 260,000 tramadol capsules.
The ongoing operations have also led to significant drug seizures in Oyo, Enugu, and other states, demonstrating the NDLEA’s continued vigilance in tackling drug trafficking at all levels.
NDLEA’s Nationwide Sensitisation Campaign
Apart from seizures and arrests, the NDLEA has also been ramping up its educational efforts to curb drug abuse. The agency has been conducting sensitisation activities across schools, places of worship, workplaces, and communities.
In the past week, NDLEA officers have delivered lectures on drug abuse prevention to students and staff at various institutions, including Wajah Girls Government Day Secondary School in Adamawa and Riyadul Quran Islamiyya School in Kebbi State. These efforts are part of the agency’s broader strategy to reduce the demand for drugs and educate the public on the dangers of substance abuse.
