NDLEA Arrests Ugandan Woman With 1.15kg Of Cocaine At Lagos Airport, Seizes ₦900m Tramadol

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old Ugandan woman, Farida Nansubuga, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.15kg of cocaine out of Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The suspect was reportedly arrested on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, while preparing to board a flight to Uganda at Terminal 2 of the airport.

In a statement issued on Sunday, November 8, the agency said Nansubuga was intercepted during a joint passenger screening exercise conducted by NDLEA operatives and aviation security personnel.

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Cocaine Found Strapped Around Suspect’s Body

According to the NDLEA, a body search raised suspicion that the woman was concealing illegal substances, prompting officers to move her to a private room for further examination.

The search reportedly uncovered 87 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.15kg, which had been strapped around her pelvic region beneath two layers of underwear.

During interrogation, Nansubuga allegedly disclosed that she arrived in Nigeria on October 29 with members of her church for a prayer session at The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.

She reportedly said she remained in the country after the other members of the delegation returned to Uganda, claiming she had agreed to collect the drugs on behalf of a friend identified as Joy, who lives in Uganda.

The suspect allegedly told investigators that Joy connected her with a Nigerian contact who arranged her transportation to a hotel on the morning of her departure.

She claimed a man at the hotel handed her the cocaine and instructed her to conceal it beneath her clothes.

The NDLEA said the suspect expected to receive at least $1,000 for delivering the consignment, although no definite payment had been agreed.

NDLEA Intercepts 750,000 Tapentadol Tablets Worth ₦900m

In another operation at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives intercepted 750,000 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg weighing 526kg, with an estimated street value of ₦900 million.

The shipment, which originated from India, was allegedly falsely declared as paracetamol.

According to the agency, the consignment arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Ahmedabad on November 3.

A joint examination conducted on November 6 by NDLEA operatives, the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies revealed that 10 of the 11 cartons contained Tapentadol tablets, while the remaining carton contained paracetamol allegedly used to conceal the prohibited substances.

Cannabis Hidden In Wooden Sofas From US

The agency also intercepted 32 parcels of Loud, a cannabis strain weighing 16.15kg, concealed inside two wooden sofas in a shipment from Houston, United States.

The consignment arrived aboard a Turkish Airlines flight on November 4.

A freight agent, Ibrahim Abdulwaheed Adewale, was arrested after reportedly presenting himself to clear the shipment.

A follow-up operation on November 6 led to the arrest of a 34-year-old Ibadan-based caterer, Adeoye Sarafa Ojo, who arrived to collect the package.

The suspect allegedly identified a friend, Taiwo Anuoluwapo Olusegun, as the sender.

Two Arrested Over Chemicals For Synthetic Cannabis Production

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects over the importation of chemicals allegedly used in the production of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis.

The officers reportedly recovered 1.2kg of cannabis and 28.65kg of chemicals concealed in cartons of snacks and detergent.

Other interceptions included 46 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.2kg and allegedly destined for the United Kingdom, as well as 296 tablets of Swinol being transported to Australia.

The agency also intercepted three shipments of tramadol intended for the UK.

The consignments comprised 20 capsules from Benin City, 96 capsules from Sapele in Delta State, and 600 tablets of Tramadol 225mg from Asaba, allegedly concealed inside female headwear.

Major Drug Seizures Recorded In Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti And Edo

Beyond airport and courier operations, the NDLEA said its operatives arrested several suspects and recovered substantial quantities of illicit drugs during raids across Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Taraba, Enugu and Delta states.

In Lagos, officers arrested 32-year-old Abubakar Ali at Marine Beach, Apapa, on November 6.

The agency said operatives recovered tramadol, pregabalin, diazepam, codeine and 6.07kg of cannabis from a concealed store inside his apartment.

In Ondo State, officers recovered 1,818kg of cannabis packed in 148 bags during a raid on Odofin Road, Uso.

They also destroyed a one-hectare cannabis farm in Board Forest, recovered an additional 242kg of the substance and arrested 36-year-old Itoro Linus Akpan.

In neighbouring Ekiti State, operatives arrested 53-year-old Agbo Paul Peter at Osin Forest, Osin-Ekiti, with 216kg of cannabis and cannabis seeds.

Edo State recorded another major interception when NDLEA officers stopped a vehicle conveying 19 bags of cannabis weighing 201kg along the Auchi-Ibillo Road.

The driver, 39-year-old Abdulmumid Isah, and a passenger, 25-year-old Danako Godwin, were arrested.

The agency also raided a drug joint on Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City, where three suspects were arrested and quantities of Colorado, Loud and cannabis were recovered.

More Arrests In Taraba And Enugu States

In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives arrested three suspects with 283 blocks of cannabis weighing 226.255kg at a checkpoint in Lankaviri, Yorro Local Government Area.

The arrests reportedly took place between November 5 and 6.

In Enugu State, officers arrested 57-year-old Celestine Uzochukwu Ejiakor at the Eke Obinagu checkpoint with 44 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.5kg.

Another suspect, 40-year-old Godwin Shaapera, was arrested at the Ugwuoba checkpoint with 24,000 capsules of tramadol and 697g of ketamine.

The NDLEA also reported arrests and seizures in Delta State, where operatives recovered cannabis, cannabis seeds, methamphetamine, tramadol, rohypnol and nitrous oxide from different suspects.

Marwa Warns Drug Cartels Against Exploiting Religious Activities

Meanwhile, the agency said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools, worship centres and communities across the country.

Reacting to the nationwide operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers in the affected commands for their efforts.

Marwa described the arrest of the Ugandan woman as a reminder that international drug trafficking networks could exploit religious activities and international travel to recruit unsuspecting or willing couriers for their illegal operations.

He urged NDLEA personnel across the country to sustain the pressure on drug trafficking networks and intensify efforts to reduce substance abuse.