ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old man, identified as Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside food items to the United Kingdom.
The septuagenarian was apprehended at the airport’s departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 bound for Heathrow Airport, London, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
Spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Sunday, explaining that a search of the suspect’s luggage uncovered blocks of cocaine wrapped in foil papers and balloons and hidden 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.
He added that the suspect, who claimed he was travelling to London for vacation, was intercepted during routine checks at the departure hall.
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“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,” he said.
Babafemi also revealed that the agency recorded a series of arrests and drug seizures in other operations across the country.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island, while she was allegedly attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis.
According to the agency, she was with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest.
Babafemi said the suspect later confessed that the illicit drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was subsequently arrested the same day.
He added that further investigation showed Olatunji had previously been arrested, convicted and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment in 2015 for a similar offence.
In another operation on Lagos Island, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, after intercepting 68,000 tramadol pills loaded in a truck allegedly meant for transportation to Benin.
A follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, believed to be the owner of the consignment, while officers also recovered a parcel containing 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for waybill delivery from his shop.
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Another raid at the market resulted in the arrest of Nwanosike Kelvin, with 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection recovered during the operation.
In separate operations, NDLEA operatives 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.
Meanwhile, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve, arresting Chinedo Odalonu, 33, while destroying 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk cultivated on two farms and recovering 16.5 kilograms of the substance.
At Apapa Seaport, NDLEA officers working with customs officials also intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup hidden in two containers that had been placed under watch following intelligence reports.