Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an Ivorian national and a Nigerian medical doctor over their alleged involvement in an international cocaine trafficking network, as the agency continues its nationwide crackdown on drug-related crimes.
The NDLEA disclosed that the Ivorian suspect, Gohouri Michael, 41, was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport during outward clearance for passengers boarding an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan, Italy, through Addis Ababa.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the suspect was found to have ingested 82 wraps of cocaine weighing a total of 1.49 kilograms.
The NDLEA said Gohouri had initially arrived in Lagos from Milan on January 17, 2026, before moving between Lagos and Enugu for about three weeks. He later travelled to Kano, where he stayed in a hotel for a week before ingesting the drugs.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was promised a payment of 5,000 euros upon successful delivery of the cocaine in Milan. Officials also said he was acting under instructions from a hidden figure who coordinated the movement of the drugs.
Further intelligence gathering led to the arrest of the alleged mastermind, identified as Dr Chudi Ofomata, a 69-year-old medical doctor based in Ogun State.
Babafemi said NDLEA operatives tracked the doctor to his residence at Teachers’ Land Estate in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, where he was arrested on March 27, 2026. He was later flown to Kano on April 7 for further investigation.
Items recovered from the doctor at the time of his arrest included 63 grams of promazepam and seven ampoules of promethazine injection, both of which are controlled substances.
The agency said the arrests form part of ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and outside Nigeria. It noted that syndicates often recruit individuals to transport drugs across borders, using methods such as ingestion to avoid detection.
The case has once again drawn attention to the role of Nigeria as both a transit and destination point in global drug trafficking routes. Authorities say traffickers exploit busy international airports and weak points in monitoring systems to move illegal substances.
Beyond the Kano arrest, the NDLEA also recorded several other seizures and arrests across the country, highlighting the widespread nature of drug trafficking activities.
In Lagos, operatives intercepted a luxury bus belonging to a transport company along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The bus, which was heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was searched based on credible intelligence.
During the search, officials discovered 15 kilograms of skunk, a strong strain of cannabis, concealed in one of the compartments of the vehicle. Two suspects, Kingsley Nsofor and Opara Ifeanyi, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
The agency said the operation reflects how drug traffickers use public transport systems to move illegal substances across states, often hiding them among passengers’ luggage.
In Abia State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 90-year-old man, Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, at his residence in Osisioma Local Government Area. A search of his home led to the recovery of 7.7 kilograms of skunk.
According to Babafemi, the suspect claimed he had been involved in various trades earlier in life, including truck pushing, painting, and tiling, before turning to the drug business about a year ago.
He also reportedly said he had been smoking cannabis since 1959 before deciding to sell it.
In Ogun State, three suspects were arrested with 34 kilograms of skunk, while in Imo State, a 26-year-old woman was apprehended with 56.2 kilograms of the same substance.
Similarly, in Niger State, NDLEA operatives arrested a couple, Abdullahi Umar, 32, and his wife, Adama Umar, 25, after recovering 118 kilograms of skunk from their home in Takuti village, Lapai Local Government Area.
Babafemi said the drugs were found in the couple’s kitchen, indicating how traffickers often use residential areas to store illegal substances.
In Borno State, the agency intercepted a trailer carrying large quantities of banned drugs, including Rohypnol tablets, codeine syrup, and pentazocine injections. The owner of the consignment was arrested.
In another operation in Mushin, Lagos, NDLEA officials seized 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup and arrested two suspects linked to the consignment.
Codeine abuse has become a major public health concern in Nigeria, especially among young people. Authorities have repeatedly warned about the dangers of consuming such substances without medical supervision.
The NDLEA said these operations are part of its broader strategy to reduce drug supply and curb abuse across the country. The agency has in recent years increased surveillance, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with other security agencies.
Drug trafficking and abuse remain serious challenges in Nigeria, affecting public health, security, and the economy. Experts say the problem is driven by factors such as unemployment, poverty, and the influence of organised criminal networks.
The Federal Government has continued to support the NDLEA in its efforts, providing resources and strengthening laws to combat the menace.
The latest arrests, especially the involvement of a medical doctor, have raised concerns about the extent of drug trafficking networks and the level of organisation behind them.
For many Nigerians, the developments highlight the need for continued vigilance and stronger enforcement to tackle the growing threat of illicit drugs.
As investigations continue, the NDLEA has assured the public that it will not relent in its efforts to track down traffickers and bring them to justice.
The agency also urged citizens to provide useful information that could help in identifying and dismantling drug networks operating in their communities.
With operations ongoing across multiple states, the NDLEA says it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking, while working to disrupt criminal networks that profit from the illegal trade.