The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 43-year-old make-up artist, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, after 2.20kg of cocaine was found factory-fitted inside the walls of her suitcase.

 

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, announced on Sunday that the arrest took place on Monday, 16th June 2025, based on credible intelligence. Adekoya, who claimed she was travelling to India for fibroid surgery, was apprehended while boarding a Qatar Airways flight. She later admitted she undertook the trip for financial gain. Investigations revealed she was sponsored by a drug baron, Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, owner of Rockford Hotel in Ogun State.

 

In other operations:

 

Courier Busts (Lagos): NDLEA operatives intercepted a shipment of sewn female dresses laced with 1.3kg of Loud cannabis headed for Bahrain, and 850g of cocaine concealed in cloth hangers destined for Australia.

 

Bauchi: On June 16th, two men, Ibrahim Galadima and Ibrahim Muhammed, were arrested with 1,013,000 pills of opioids (tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5) along the Bauchi-Darazo road.

 

Kaduna: On June 17th, Bishir Isyaku was caught with 14.2kg of skunk and 198kg of rubber solution disguised in charcoal sacks. In Abuja, six suspects were arrested in raids at Karu Abattoir and Torabora, with seizures including 6.9kg skunk and 59g methamphetamine.

 

Kano: On June 19th, Umar Hamisu and Dahiru Abdullahi were nabbed with 56.2kg skunk. Same day, Obiwuru Henry was caught with 23,720 tramadol capsules and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine. On June 21st, Abubakar Modu and Abdulkadir Muhammed were arrested with 36.6kg and 32kg of skunk respectively.

 

Kwara: A 22-year-old student, Olotin Nifemi, known for selling drugs to fellow students, was arrested with 1kg of skunk in Ilorin on June 19th.

 

Edo: NDLEA destroyed 4,226.11kg of cannabis during a raid at Ugbada camp, Uzebba forest. A suspect, Albert Shamaki, was arrested. Another raid in Esan West LGA led to the arrest of Esther Abumere and seizure of various illicit drugs. At Igueben, 1.143kg of skunk was found in a shop run by Eko Gift.

 

 

NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised officers across the affected commands for their dedication and urged continued efforts to balance drug supply reduction with demand control initiatives.