NDLEA arrests 74-year-old man with 11kg cocaine at Abuja airport
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 74-year-old man at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja for allegedly attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items to the United Kingdom.
The suspect, identified as Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, was apprehended at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 bound for Heathrow, London, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.
According to Babafemi, a search of the suspect’s luggage revealed 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,” Babafemi said.
“The septuagenarian, who claimed he was travelling to London for vacation, was arrested at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow.”
“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 agency also reported several other arrests and seizures across the country.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at Ikad Hotel and Suites while she was allegedly attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis.
Babafemi said Olalowo was with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest.
“She confessed the illicit drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later arrested the same day, while his wife was immediately released,” he said.
According to the NDLEA spokesman, Olatunji admitted ownership of the drugs during interrogation. Investigations further revealed that he had previously been arrested, convicted and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment for a similar offence in 2015.
In another operation on Lagos Island, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, after recovering 68,000 tramadol pills loaded in a truck allegedly meant for transportation to Benin Republic.
A follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, believed to be the owner of the consignment. Officers also recovered a parcel containing 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for waybill delivery from his shop.
Another raid at the market resulted in the arrest of Nwanosike Kelvin and the recovery of 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection.
In separate operations, NDLEA officers arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, with 386 kilograms of skunk in Bebeji, and Isah Wako with 282.2 kilograms of the same substance in Gwagwalada.
In Orhionmwon Local Government Area, operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve where they arrested Chinedo Odalonu, 33, destroyed 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk on two farms and recovered 16.5 kilograms of the substance.
At the Apapa Seaport, NDLEA officers, working with customs officials, also intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in two containers that had earlier been watch-listed following intelligence reports.