NDLEA Arrests 74-Year-Old Grandfather with 11kg Cocaine at Abuja Airport | DISCUSS

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The suspect was intercepted in the departure hall while attempting to board a British Airways flight (BA082) bound for Heathrow London.

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Concealment and Seizure

The arrest followed a routine search of the septuagenarian’s luggage, which led to a significant discovery of illicit substances:

The Weight: Authorities recovered a total of 11 kilograms of cocaine.

Method of Concealment: The blocks of cocaine were wrapped in foil papers and balloons, then hidden inside various food items, including large quantities of ground dry pepper.

The Suspect's Claim: During interrogation, Emeka claimed he was traveling to the United Kingdom for a vacation.

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Other Recent Drug Interdictions

The NDLEA also reported several other successful operations across the country over the past week:

Victoria Island Bust: On Monday, March 9, operatives arrested Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji in Lagos for possession of cocaine and "Canadian Loud," a potent strain of cannabis. Olatunji had previously served a prison sentence for a similar offense in 2015.

Tramadol Seizure: Two suspects were arrested on Lagos Island on March 9 while attempting to transport 68,000 pills of Tramadol (250mg and 225mg) to the Benin Republic.

Kano State Arrests: On Friday, March 13, NDLEA officers in Kano intercepted a vehicle carrying over 150kg of dried weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp.

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Official Stance

In a statement released on Sunday, March 15, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to making Nigeria's airports impenetrable to drug traffickers. He warned that age or status would not serve as a shield for those attempting to bypass the nation's drug laws.