NDLEA Arrests China-Based Businessman, 2 Angolans with 236 Cocaine Pellets at Abuja, Kano Airports
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a China-based Nigerian businessman and two Angolan nationals who excreted a combined 236 wraps of cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The suspects—identified as Ibeanu Vincent Chukwudulue, 34, and Angolan nationals Mbandu Martins Makiadi, 50, and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, 52—were apprehended on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, following intelligence-led operations by NDLEA officers.
Ibeanu was arrested at the Abuja airport after arriving onboard Qatar Airways flight 1432 from Kano en route Doha and China. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives requested that he be deboarded for a body scan, which confirmed ingestion of illicit substances. He was subsequently placed under observation and excreted 52 pellets of cocaine weighing 735.95 grams.
In his statement, the suspect disclosed that he previously ran a business on Lagos Island before relocating to Guangzhou, China, in 2024.
At the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, NDLEA operatives intercepted Mbandu and Ngoma at the departure hall during outward clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Istanbul via Addis Ababa. Body scans confirmed drug ingestion.
Under observation, Mbandu excreted 76 wraps of cocaine weighing 920 grams in seven excretions, while Ngoma expelled 108 pellets weighing 1.33 kilograms in five excretions.
The Angolan suspects, both from Hoji Ya Henda in Luanda, claimed they were recruited by an automobile spare parts dealer based in Luanda who promised to pay them $3,000 each upon successful delivery of the consignments in Turkey.
Convicted Drug Kingpin Linked to Fresh Export Attempt from Prison
In a separate development, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, foiled an attempt by a convicted drug kingpin, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules (garri) to London on a Virgin Atlantic flight.
Oladimeji, currently serving a five-year jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, was earlier convicted in 2025 by a Federal High Court in Lagos for unlawful conspiracy to export 17.90 kilograms of cocaine.
Investigations revealed that the convict, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Dimeji Express Logistics in Mafoluku, Oshodi, initiated the latest scheme from prison. NDLEA officers at the Lagos airport export shed intercepted the consignment—compressed blocks of cocaine hidden inside a sack of garri and further packaged in a carton—on Thursday, February 12.
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A staff member of the logistics firm, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, who presented the consignment for export, was promptly arrested. Further investigation indicated that Oladimeji had directed him to collect the package from a location in Oshodi.
Similarly, a 44-year-old estate surveyor, Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo, was arrested for attempting to export 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in five jerry cans to the United Kingdom. The cargo agent who presented the consignment, Mustapha Quddus Opeyemi, was initially apprehended, while a follow-up operation led to Adelaja’s arrest at the Ahmadiyya area of Lagos on February 9.
Toy Guitar Conceals Canadian Loud in Abuja
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives on February 12 intercepted a waybill package from Enugu containing a children’s toy guitar. A search revealed two parcels of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 59.2 grams concealed inside the instrument.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the consignment’s owner, Henry Onuma, at Dream City Estate, Life Camp.
Lekki Colos Factory Busted, 13.2kg Recovered
In Lagos, NDLEA officers on February 13 raided a four-bedroom duplex at Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, used for the production and storage of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis popularly known as “Colos.”
The raid followed the seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide at Iyare Motor Park along the Ajah–Epe Expressway. The consignment was bound for Benin City, Edo State. The driver, Amos Innocent, was arrested, while Victor Oyedeji was apprehended at the Lekki residence where 13.2 kilograms of freshly produced Colos and precursor chemicals were recovered.
Ibadan Drug Dealer, Others Arrested Nationwide
In Oyo State, a notorious female drug dealer, Oluwayemisi Bunmi, 45, was arrested at her residence in the Hope Alakia area of Ibadan. Recovered items included 1.189 kilograms of Colos and skunk, 320 grams of methamphetamine, ₦2.975 million in cash, and two Toyota Matrix vehicles.
In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a J5 vehicle at Bode Saadu, recovering 105,400 pills of tramadol from a suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi, 43.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, five suspects were arrested during a raid on the Yoruba Camp in Olumoye Forest, Ovia North East Local Government Area, where 563.5 kilograms of skunk were seized.
Marwa Commends Officers, Urges Sustained Effort
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across the MAKIA, MMIA, NAIA, Lagos, Edo, Kwara, FCT, and Oyo Commands for their professionalism and successful operations.
He urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction, even as NDLEA intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities nationwide.
By PRNigeria
