Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items while preparing to travel to the United Kingdom.
The suspect was arrested at the airport's departure hall while attempting to board a British Airways flight, BA082, bound for London Heathrow Airport on Saturday.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, detailed how a search of the suspect's luggage led to the discovery of blocks of cocaine wrapped in foil papers and balloons and concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper.
"A 74-year-old grandpa, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, has been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after a large consignment of cocaine was discovered concealed in his luggage.
The septuagenarian, who claimed he was travelling to London, United Kingdom, for a vacation, was arrested at the departure hall of the Abuja airport while attempting to board a British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow, London, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
During a search of his luggage, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons," the statement partly read.
Babafemi also reported a series of arrests and seizures across other parts of the country.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives apprehended a woman in the early hours of March 9 at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island.
Mrs. Maryam Olalowo was arrested while attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, found with her three children, including an infant.
She confessed the illicit drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later taken into custody the same day, while his wife was immediately released.
"Ibrahim confirmed ownership of the illicit drugs in his statement, while further investigation revealed that he had previously been arrested, convicted, and sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment for a similar offence in 2015," the NDLEA spokesman disclosed.
In another Lagos Island operation, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, after recovering 68,000 tramadol pills loaded in a truck allegedly meant for transport to Benin.
A follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, believed to be the owner of the consignment, with officers recovering additional tramadol tablets.
In separate operations across the country, NDLEA officers arrested suspects with large quantities of skunk in Bebeji and Gwagwalada.
In Edo State, operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve, arresting one suspect and destroying over 4,000 kilograms of skunk on two farms.
At Apapa Seaport, NDLEA officers, in collaboration with customs officials, intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup hidden in two containers following intelligence reports.
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