Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, a 43-year-old self-proclaimed make-up artist, on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. She was attempting to smuggle 2.2 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the lining of her suitcase while en route to India for what she claimed was fibroid surgery.
Following credible intelligence, NDLEA officers monitored Adekoya as she checked in for a Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha. She was intercepted at the boarding gate, and a search of her luggage uncovered two parcels of cocaine factory-fitted into the suitcase’s walls.
During interrogation, Adekoya admitted the medical trip was a cover and that she had been recruited for the job due to financial difficulties. The drug trafficking operation was allegedly financed by Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, a drug baron and owner of Rockford Hotel in Sango, Ogun State, who resides in Igbe Laara, Ikorodu, Lagos.
Other Major NDLEA Operations:
Lagos: NDLEA seized 1.3kg of Loud concealed in female dresses en route to Bahrain and 850g of cocaine hidden in hangers bound for Australia.
Bauchi: Two suspects, Ibrahim Galadima and Ibrahim Muhammed, were arrested with over 1 million opioid pills, including tramadol and diazepam.
Kaduna: Bishir Isyaku was caught with 14.2kg of cannabis and 198kg of rubber solution hidden in charcoal sacks.
Abuja: Multiple arrests at Karu Abattoir and Torabora yielded 6.9kg of cannabis and 59g of methamphetamine.
Kano: NDLEA arrested Umar Hamisu and Dahiru Abdullahi with 56.2kg of cannabis, and Obiwuru Henry with 23,720 tramadol capsules and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine.
Kwara: Olotin Nifemi, a 22-year-old polytechnic student, was arrested for supplying cannabis to fellow students.
Edo: Over 4.2 tonnes of cannabis were destroyed in Uzebba Forest. Arrests include Albert Shamaki, Esther Abumere, and Eko Gift in drug-related raids on stores and camps.
WADA Campaigns:
NDLEA intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative with advocacy and awareness programs across several states including Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kano, Enugu, and Osun, where officers met with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
