China-Bound Auto Parts Dealer Arrested for Cocaine Ingestion

A A 62-year-old Lagos-based businessman, Nwabueze Nicholas Izueke, was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on January 31, 2026, by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Izueke, who was preparing to travel to China via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, was caught attempting to smuggle 95 jumbo-sized wraps of cocaine, totaling 1.589 kilograms, by ingesting the illicit substance.

"Upon arrival at the airport, the suspect tested positive for drugs after a body scan," said an NDLEA spokesperson. "He was placed under observation and expelled a total of 95 pellets of cocaine through several excretions."

Izueke, who claimed to be in the auto spare parts and clothing business, told investigators he resorted to drug trafficking to raise enough money to complete his country home in his native Iwollo, Enugu State.

The arrest is part of a series of major drug-related operations conducted by the NDLEA. In Abuja on February 6, agents foiled an attempt to smuggle methamphetamine concealed in MP3 speakers. NDLEA operatives intercepted a bus carrying the drugs, resulting in the arrest of four suspects, including Ebube Okeke, Evans Ugwu, Mohammed Eze Arinze, and Friday Michael. A follow-up operation in Zuba led to Okeke's arrest, and the other three were apprehended in Kaduna the following day while trying to retrieve additional meth shipments.

Other notable arrests include the interception of 1.8 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in yogurt packs by a suspect, Yusuf Abubakar, 32, on February 6, 2026, in Taraba State. Additionally, in Oyo State, a massive drug bust occurred on February 5 when 149.6 kilograms of skunk were seized from a Beninoise suspect, Shuaibu Abdulrahman, at Ibudo-Igboho village.

In Ibadan, drug kingpin Jimoh Nurudeen, 40, was arrested on February 7 at Badeku area, where he operated a facility producing Colorado, a synthetic cannabis. Nurudeen, along with his accomplice Ogundipe Yusuf, was caught with chemical precursors, 14 grams of skunk, and over 7 million naira in cash.

The NDLEA also reported a significant seizure of 395,400 capsules of tramadol hidden in a fuel tanker on February 7 in Kwara State. A similar bust occurred in Lagos on February 6 when NDLEA operatives seized 31 wraps of cocaine concealed in a handbag carried by a passenger arriving from Cote D'Ivoire.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and CEO of the NDLEA, commended the agency's officers for their professionalism and commitment. "These operations are a testament to the dedication of our officers in fighting the war against drug abuse," Marwa said. "We will continue to strengthen our efforts to reduce both drug supply and demand across the nation."

In the past week, the NDLEA has also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, conducting sensitization activities in schools, places of worship, and workplaces across the country. Among the outreach activities, NDLEA officials visited schools such as Agulu Awka Community Secondary School in Anambra and Okeodo Community High School in Oyo State.

The agency's nationwide campaign against drug trafficking and abuse continues, with increased vigilance and targeted operations.