By John Moses
A 43-year-old Nigerian make-up artist has been arrested at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport for attempting to smuggle over 2 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden inside her suitcase.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the arrest on Sunday, revealing that the suspect, identified as Adekoya, was detained on 16 June as she attempted to board a Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, agents acting on credible intelligence placed the suspect under surveillance, allowing her to check in her luggage before intercepting her at the boarding gate. A search of her suitcase revealed 2.20 kilogrammes of cocaine factory-fitted into the inner walls of her bag.
Adekoya initially claimed she was travelling to India for fibroid surgery. However, during interrogation, she admitted to trafficking the drugs in exchange for financial gain. Investigators later discovered she had been recruited and funded by a drug baron, Akeem Adekanbi, who remains at large. Adekanbi is reportedly the owner of Rockford Hotel in Sango, Ogun State, and resides in the Igbe Laara area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted a shipment containing 1.3 kilogrammes of “loud” – a potent cannabis strain – concealed inside sewn female garments bound for Bahrain. This occurred at a courier facility in Lagos on 19 June.
A day earlier, 850 grammes of cocaine hidden in clothes hangers and destined for Australia were seized at another courier firm.
NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued nationwide, with awareness activities carried out in schools across states including Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kano, and Enugu. In Osun State, officers also paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the officers involved for their diligence and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to balancing drug supply reduction with education and prevention strategies.
