Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted multiple consignments of cocaine concealed in phone chargers and a backpack, while an Italy-based businessman excreted 98 wraps of cocaine after being arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
According to an official statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, the 30-year-old businessman, Joseph Cyril, was arrested at the airport’s departure hall on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930.
Cyril, who was travelling to Italy through Addis Ababa and France, was subsequently placed on excretion observation after NDLEA operatives suspected that he had ingested illicit drugs.
He later excreted 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.
Investigations showed that the suspect had arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and ingested the cocaine at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to board his flight.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had been doing business in Italy for years before agreeing to traffic the consignment for €3,500, which he intended to use to raise funds to relocate to Germany, where his family is based.
In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in 25 pieces of phone chargers destined for Saudi Arabia at a courier firm.
The agency also thwarted an attempt to export 500 grammes of cocaine to Italy after the drug was concealed in the false bottom of a backpack at another logistics company on August 3.
Similarly, 2.3 kilogrammes of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, imported from the United States, was intercepted at another shipping company in Lagos on August 4.
Beyond the cocaine interceptions, NDLEA operatives recorded major seizures across several states during the week.
In Ondo State, officers on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway intercepted a truck carrying 1,633 kilogrammes of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts. Two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested.
The agency also recovered 147 kilogrammes of skunk from Ita Ogbolu forest during a raid on August 3.
In Oyo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided a drug warehouse at Elebure village in Orire Local Government Area, recovering 731.03 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and arresting 57-year-old Felicia Thompson. Her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, is currently at large.
In Edo State, NDLEA officers, supported by soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5 kilogrammes at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area.
In Abia State, operatives arrested 31-year-old Chibuike Charles during a raid at Samec by Powerline Base in Osisioma Local Government Area, where seven kilogrammes of skunk was seized.
Meanwhile, a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry, Lagos, on August 8, following a three-month manhunt. NDLEA recovered 88.5 kilogrammes of skunk from him.
At the Tincan Port Complex in Lagos, a joint examination involving NDLEA officers, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies led to the discovery of 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4 kilogrammes.
A suspect, Larry Nnaji, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
The NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across the country, with officers engaging students, worshippers, workers and community members on the dangers of illicit drug use and trafficking.
Commending officers and men of the DOGI, AIIA, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme and Tincan Commands for the successful operations, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
