Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered two unusual trafficking attempts involving cocaine and opioids concealed in the stomach and a fabricated pregnancy at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, and the Seme border in Lagos en route to Europe and other destinations.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Femi Babafemi – Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA, the agency disclosed that a 35-year-old Kano-based businesswoman, Rabi Muhammad, was apprehended at the departure tarmac of Seme land border on Monday 16th February 2026 while trying to cross into Cotonou, Benin Republic, with what appeared to be a pregnancy.
A full body search however revealed the absurd: her pregnancy was fake and her baby bump was designed with a pink coloured calabash used to conceal 3,200 capsules of tramadol, which she tied around her stomach and was taking to Cotonou to sell.
” Same day in Kano, NDLEA operatives at the screening point of the departure hall of MAKIA intercepted a 41-year-old Ivorian, Michael Gohouri (also known as Anunwa Onyinye Michael) during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Milan, Malpensa via Addis Ababa. When he was taken for body scan, the result confirmed ingestion of illicit substances.
“As a result, he was placed under observation during which he excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms. Michael Gohouri had arrived Lagos from Milan on 17th January, 2026 and was shuttling from Lagos to Enugu for three weeks. He later travelled to Kano where he stayed for a week before ingesting the cocaine consignment in his hotel room. He’s expected to be paid 5,000 Euros when he delivers the drugs in Milan.
“The suspect who hails from Reu duce Avenue 13 Abidjan, Cote d’ivoire claims his father, Bade Gohouri is an Ivorian while his mother is from Anunwa compound, Urunnebo village Ukwan in Enugu State. He applied for asylum in Italy in 2013 and obtained a resident permit which expires 25th May 2026 while he has a Nigerian National Identification Number with his name written as Anunwa Onyinye Michael,” the statement said.
The agency further announced the arrest of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Trans Fortress Global Resources, Mr. Kolapo Raji.
” Raji has been on NDLEA watchlist since 2025 following credible intelligence. The 57-year-old was arrested at his Safe Court Apartment residence in Ikate, Lekki Lagos on Thursday 12th February 2026 after sustained surveillance soon after his return from the United Kingdom.
“A search of his residence led to the recovery of four large bags containing parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis with a total weight of 89.20kg. Also recovered from him at the point of his arrest was a 2024 model Toyota Hilux. In his statement, he claimed he got involved in the illicit drug trade after financing some consignments for his overseas associate. He said hundreds of millions of naira paid to him as profit by his associate motivated him to establish his own independent drug distribution channel,” the statement said.
In separate operations in Lagos, NDLEA said its operatives arrested Ugwuja Kingsley with 56kg of skunk at Agbara on Thursday 19th February, while Ekwe Arinze was apprehended with 76kg of the same substance at a motor park in Oshodi on Tuesday 17th February.
At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, the agency reported the interception of 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container during a joint inspection involving NDLEA officers, Customs and other security agencies.
“At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state, a total of 170, 900 bottles of codeine-based syrup were discovered in a container during a joint examination of the shipment by NDLEA officers, Customs and other security agencies. The request by NDLEA for a 100% physical examination and search of the container followed processed intelligence on the shipment.
“No fewer than 7,300 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in two sound systems were recovered by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Okene/Lokoja highway Kogi state during the search of a commuter bus coming from Lagos to Kano on Sunday 15th February. A follow up operation in Zuba, Abuja on Tuesday 17th February led to the arrest of the two suspects linked to the consignment: Ezenma Kingsley, 26, and Ezeja Anthony, 29.
“In Ondo state, a suspect Bright Timothy, 28, was arrested at Iju forest on Thursday 19th February with 195kg skunk and seeds while another suspect Godwin Bernard was nabbed with 198kg of same substance when NDLEA operatives raided their enclaves in the forest.
“A total of 936 kilograms of skunk were seized from a suspect, Yahaya Adamu Gimba, 48, when he was arrested at Azare town, Katagun LGA, Bauchi on Tuesday 17th February, while another 85.8kg of same substance was recovered from Yahaya Adamu Gimba; Nasiru Suleman, 36; Abdul Umar, 25, and Musa Suleman, 21 in Azare.
“While 37kg skunk was seized from Mgbeme Ejeoma, 34, at Club Street, Ekeredjebor, Ughelli, Delta state on Tuesday 17th February, NDLEA officers in Edo state same day raided Etiosa camp in Owan West LGA where they destroyed 1,266.8475kg skunk on three farms. No less than 23kg of processed cannabis was equally recovered, with two suspects: a 68-year-old grandmother, Evelyn Ogenewu, and a 43-year-old, Friday Iruoje, apprehended,” the statement added.
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