Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 44-year-old businessman, Ezemokwe Chukwuebuka Christian, at the Port Harcourt International Airport for attempting to smuggle 1.172 kilograms of cocaine to Iran by ingestion.
Ezemokwe was apprehended on Saturday, June 7, while preparing to board Qatar Airways flight QR1434 en route to Tehran Khomeini International Airport via Doha. A body scan revealed he had ingested 53 wraps of cocaine, which he later excreted in six stages while under medical observation.
The suspect, who confessed to joining the drug trade two years ago, disclosed that he frequently shuttled between West African countries and Iran as part of a trafficking network.
His arrest comes barely two weeks after a similar incident at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), where 60-year-old Chinedu Leonard Okigbo was intercepted en route to Iran with 65 cocaine pellets in his system.
In a separate operation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Saturday, June 14, NDLEA officers, in collaboration with Aviation Security (AVSEC) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), intercepted Edobor Ambrose Ali, an Italy-bound passenger on an Air France flight.
During baggage scanning on the tarmac, officials discovered 14,410 pills of tramadol (225mg and 200mg) concealed in winter jackets. Upon questioning, Ali admitted that he was hired for an all-expense-paid trip to Nigeria to transport the drugs to Milan for a payment of €2,000.
At the Onne Port in Rivers State, a joint examination of a suspicious container with officers from the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies led to the discovery of 157,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup, valued at over ₦1.1 billion in street market prices. The shipment was concealed behind 257 cartons of ceramic sanitary wares.
In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives stormed a warehouse in Obereakai, Odukpani Local Government Area, on Thursday, June 12, recovering 2,687 kilograms of skunk, a potent cannabis variant. Three suspects Friday Achibong Joseph (47), Abraham Anthony Willy (21), and Utibe David Okon (24) were arrested at the scene.
That same day in Bauchi State, officers acting on intelligence stopped a Toyota Camry along the Bauchi–Jos road, where 195 blocks of skunk weighing 287kg were discovered. Two suspects Iriemi Imonikhe (49) and Sa’idu Ladan (30) were taken into custody.
In Lagos, NDLEA’s Marine Command intercepted a wooden boat at Oniru Beach, seizing 14 jumbo sacks of skunk totaling 560kg.
Meanwhile, at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Maiduguri, officers arrested two businessmen—Ishaku Abdullahi (30) and Buba Usman (32) at the domestic arrivals hall with quantities of ecstasy pills and skunk, cleverly packaged in brightly branded wraps labeled “Lychee” and “Porro Legal”.
Beyond enforcement, the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued with sensitization lectures conducted in schools across the country. Among the beneficiaries last week were:
Command Secondary School, Orba, Enugu State
Divine Gift International School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
Baptist Primary School, Ago-Are, Oyo State
St. Vincent Secondary School, Oti-Oron Okobo, Akwa Ibom State
The educational outreach is part of NDLEA’s strategy to curb drug demand through early prevention and awareness, particularly among youth.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the coordinated efforts of officers across the country, especially those at MMIA, PHIA, MBIAM, PHPC, Marine Command, and the Cross River and Bauchi Commands.
“These successes reflect our agency’s commitment to a balanced approach that addresses both drug supply and drug demand reduction. We commend our officers for their vigilance and professionalism,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA reiterated its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks and maintain its momentum in both enforcement and public advocacy.
