By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old South African woman with 36.65kg of cocaine and a 62-year-old Nigerian-American grandmother with 9.45kg of loud in Lagos. The arrests occurred on October 7 and October 21, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives recovered large quantities of illicit drugs across several states during intelligence-led operations.
The agency also arrested a physically challenged woman in Delta State and dismantled cannabis farms in Edo and Ondo states. Other operations led to drug seizures in Kano, Lagos, Bauchi, Niger, Taraba and Oyo states.
NDLEA Arrests South African Woman With 36.65kg of Cocaine
NDLEA operatives arrested Qhina Beauty at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on October 7, 2026.
She was preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa through Doha. A search of her two travelling bags uncovered 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65kg.
According to the agency, the officers found the cocaine wrapped in cellophane tape, mixed with dried pepper and packed into seven separate parcels.
During questioning, Qhina reportedly said she arrived in Nigeria on September 30 to collect the shipment. She also claimed another South African woman recruited her for the operation.
The recruiter allegedly promised to pay her R20,000 after delivering the drugs. Qhina further identified two other alleged members of the syndicate, including a United States-based associate and a Lagos car dealer.
NDLEA Arrests Lagos Car Dealer Over Alleged Cocaine Syndicate
Further investigations led to the arrest of 46-year-old Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe on October 14.
Operatives intercepted him at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, after monitoring his residence in Shasha.
According to the NDLEA, Umunnakwe admitted receiving Qhina at the airport. He also reportedly acknowledged lodging her at Santiago Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin before moving her to Cynarisso Hotel near the airport.
The agency said the movements occurred ahead of her planned departure from Nigeria.
US-Based Nigerian-American Grandma Arrested With 9.45kg of Loud
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers arrested 62-year-old Anetor Gloria Ubong at the Lagos airport on October 21, 2026.
Ubong, a realtor based in Richmond, Texas, arrived on a United Airlines flight from Houston. She holds Nigerian and United States passports.
A search of her two checked-in boxes uncovered 18 parcels of loud weighing 9.45kg. Officers found the high-grade cannabis concealed with gift-wrapping paper inside a box.
Ubong reportedly told investigators that her daughter and the daughter’s future brother-in-law delivered the package to her home in the United States.
She claimed they asked her to bring it to Nigeria for her daughter’s fiancé, identified as Jibola.
NDLEA Seizes Drugs During Lagos Operations
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives attached to a special operations unit arrested 41-year-old Eletu Rasheedat in the Eti-Osa area of Lagos on October 23.
The operation yielded 5,820 diazepam pills, 780 tramadol tablets, 3.7kg of skunk and 230.25 litres of skuchies.
The agency continues to target drug trafficking networks and the distribution of illicit substances across the state.
Delta Operations: Suspect Arrested With Pharmaceutical Opioids
In Delta State, operatives arrested 51-year-old Peter Ugochukwu in Warri over a large consignment of pharmaceutical opioids.
The recovered items included:
- 29,350 tramadol capsules.
- 6,620 tablets of tramadol 200mg.
- 4,116 bottles of codeine syrup.
- 11,340 Rohypnol tablets.
- 3,500 diazepam tablets.
- 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection.
- 200 ampoules of diazepam injection.
- Quantities of tramadol 225mg, Molly and Cocodamol.
The agency said the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State transferred the suspect and a white Hummer bus to its operatives.
In another operation, NDLEA officers arrested 46-year-old Helen Bakporo Samson at Enhere Junction, Warri, on October 19. The physically challenged woman allegedly possessed 6kg of skunk.
NDLEA Arrests Cannabis Suspects in Oyo and Kano
In Oyo State, officers arrested 41-year-old Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi in Adamasingba, Ibadan, on October 19.
The arrest followed his alleged escape during an earlier operation. On September 16, NDLEA officers had reportedly seized 197.8kg of cannabis from his residence.
Similarly, a raid in Kano’s Gerawa area on October 22 led to the arrest of 30-year-old Murtala Lawan. Officers recovered 159 blocks of cannabis weighing 97.2kg.
Taraba and Niger Operations Yield Cannabis and Opioids
At the Lankaviri checkpoint in Yorro Local Government Area, Taraba State, operatives arrested 39-year-old Raiyanu Misa on October 23.
The officers recovered 95 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 60.175kg.
On the same day, the Nigeria Police Force handed over another suspect to the NDLEA. Officers had arrested the suspect in Dakka village, Bali Local Government Area, with 112 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 81.49kg.
In Niger State, operatives arrested 26-year-old Emmanuel Ekene on October 19 along the Sabo-Kainji Road in Borgu Local Government Area.
The officers recovered 64,000 opioid pills, including tramadol and diazepam.
Bauchi Operation Leads to 379kg Cannabis Seizure
NDLEA operatives arrested 45-year-old Jamilu Mustapha, also known as Last Card, in Nasaru town, Ningi Local Government Area, Bauchi State, on October 21.
The officers seized 379kg of cannabis from seven large sacks during the operation.
The agency continues to pursue suspected drug suppliers and distributors through coordinated raids and intelligence gathering.
NDLEA Recovers 583kg of Cannabis in Ondo
Acting on intelligence, NDLEA officers raided a farm in Board-Ala, Akure South, Ondo State, on October 20.
The operation uncovered 56 bags of abandoned cannabis weighing 583kg.
The agency said the seizure formed part of its wider efforts to disrupt cannabis cultivation and distribution networks.
NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms in Edo State
In Edo State, operatives destroyed two cannabis farms in Ugbada Forest, Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area, on October 18.
The farms had an estimated cannabis yield of 2,023.14kg. Officers also destroyed 450kg of processed cannabis at the site and recovered another 97kg as evidence.
In a related operation, officers arrested 42-year-old Mary Edokhai in Ewe community, Owan West, with 35kg of cannabis.
NDLEA Intensifies Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
Beyond arrests and seizures, NDLEA commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programme during the week.
The agency organised awareness lectures for students, staff and community members across several states.
Participating schools included Oje Grammar School in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Government Day Secondary School in Kwamba, Niger State.
Other venues included Baptist Primary School in Olorunda, Ogun State, and Government Secondary School in Yalea, Kano State.
The campaign also reached Community Secondary School in Igogoro, Enugu State, and Urban Girls Secondary School in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Additionally, officers conducted awareness activities at Kelebe Community Grammar School in Osogbo, Osun State, among other locations.
The programme seeks to educate young people and communities about the dangers of drug abuse and substance misuse.
Marwa Commends NDLEA Officers
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations.
He praised personnel across the airport, state commands and special operations units for their vigilance and professionalism.
Marwa urged officers nationwide to sustain their efforts against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
He also stressed the importance of intelligence-led operations in disrupting drug networks and protecting communities from illicit substances.
The latest operations highlight the agency’s continued focus on airport interdictions, nationwide drug seizures, cannabis farm destruction and public awareness campaigns.
