The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives have arrested several suspects in separate operations across Nigeria over alleged involvement in illicit drug trafficking.
According to the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA operatives arrested a 41-year-old Nigerian businessman, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, 11th June, 2026.
The statement said Abugu arrived from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight. A search of his luggage allegedly led to the recovery of 14 towels and shirts said to have been soaked in liquid substance suspected to be cocaine, dried and ironed.
Femi Babafemi said that the suspect claimed he has lived for over 14 years in Brazil, where he runs an African restaurant, and that he was in Nigeria to see his wife and buy foodstuff in bulk for his restaurant.
The agency said the suspect remains in custody while investigations continue. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
The NDLEA statement also reported other arrests:
1. *Abia State*: A 60-year-old woman, Chidimma Sunday, was reportedly taken into NDLEA custody after she was nabbed with 1.8kg of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, referred to as “skunk,” by Umuosu vigilante group in Umuna Autonomous community, Isialangwa North LGA on Wednesday, June 10. She was handed over to NDLEA, according to the statement.
2. *Rivers State*: A 28-year-old man, Abubakar Usman, was reportedly arrested at Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, June 9, with substances including 400 grams of suspected skunk, five grams of suspected methamphetamine, 100 grams of suspected tramadol, five grams of suspected swinol and 18 grams of suspected diazepam, the statement said.
3. *Delta State*: NDLEA operatives said they arrested a suspect, Onya Jude, 36, on Monday, June 8, in possession of five gas cylinders allegedly used to conceal 2.8 kilograms of substance described as “Loud,” a strain of cannabis, at Ogwashi Uku, Aniocha South area.
4. *Gombe State*: The statement said two dealers, 40-year-old Jamilu Idris (a.k.a Jama) and 33-year-old Aminu Abdullahi (a.k.a Momo), were arrested at Kasuwan Katako area of Gombe with three big blocks of suspected skunk weighing 2.738kg.
5. *Kano State*: Ngozi Gaius, 39, was reportedly nabbed along Zaria/Kano road on Friday, June 12, conveying 6,000 pills of suspected tramadol 225mg, according to the statement.
6. *Kwara State*: Two suspects, Nasiru Hamza, 47, and Muhammad Sani, 38, were reportedly intercepted on Tuesday, June 9, along Bode Saadu road conveying 600 compressed blocks of suspected skunk weighing 304kg in a black Toyota jeep, the statement said.
NDLEA said the suspects and exhibits are in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution. The agency did not state whether charges have been filed in any of the cases as of publication.