NDLEA NAB MAKEUP ARTIST ON FAKE MEDICAL TRIP TO INDIA WITH 2.2KG COCAINE AT LAGOS AIRPORT
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By: Sefiu Ajape
A 43-year-old makeup artist, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, after 2.2 kilograms of cocaine were discovered concealed inside the walls of her suitcase.
According to a statement on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Adekoya was apprehended on Monday, June 16, 2025, following actionable intelligence.
NDLEA officers placed her under surveillance, allowed her to check in her luggage, and intercepted her at the boarding gate as she prepared to board a Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha, allegedly for fibroid surgery.
A thorough search of her suitcase revealed two large parcels of cocaine factory-fitted into the inner walls.
During interrogation, Adekoya confessed that she had agreed to smuggle the drugs in exchange for financial compensation, using the medical trip as a cover for the trafficking operation.
“Further investigation revealed the suspect was recruited and funded by a drug baron currently at large, Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi who owns Rockford Hotel located in Sango area of Ogun state while he lives at Igbe Laara in Igbogbo area of Ikorodu, Lagos state,” Babafemi said.
In another case, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted a shipment at a Lagos courier company on Thursday, 19th June 2025.
The agency said the shipment, destined for Bahrain, contained 1.3 kilograms of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden inside sewn female dresses.
At another courier firm, the previous day, Wednesday, 18th June, officers uncovered 850 grams of cocaine concealed in cloth hangers bound for Australia.
In Bauchi State, acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA officers arrested Ibrahim Galadima (37) and Ibrahim Muhammed (28) along the Bauchi-Darazo Road on Monday, 16th June. They were found in possession of 1,013,000 opioid pills, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.
On Tuesday, 17th June, 38-year-old Bishir Isyaku was arrested at Gwargwaje along the Kaduna-Zaria expressway with 14.2 kilograms of skunk concealed in two sacks of charcoal, as well as 198 kilograms of rubber solution hidden in seven cartons.
In Abuja, operatives raided Karu Abattoir and Torabora areas on Wednesday, 18th June, arresting Murtala Adamu, Ahmed Isma’il, and four others. They recovered 6.9 kilograms of skunk and 59 grams of methamphetamine during the operation.
In Kano, officers patrolling along the Zaria-Kano Road on Thursday, 19th June arrested Umar Hamisu (19) and Dahiru Abdullahi (32) with 56.2 kilograms of skunk.
That same day, Obiwuru Henry (27) was nabbed along Jaba Road, Fagge LGA, with 23,720 capsules of tramadol and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine. On Saturday, 21st June, Abubakar Modu (60) was arrested with 36.6 kilograms of skunk, and Abdulkadir Muhammed (28) with 32 kilograms of skunk, both along the Zaria-Kano Road.
In Kwara State, a 22-year-old student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Olotin Nifemi, was arrested on Thursday, 19th June at her base along Kwara Poly Road, Ilorin, with 1 kilogram of skunk. She was described as notorious for selling illicit substances to other students.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided Ugbada camp in Uzebba forest, Owan West LGA, on Friday, 20th June, destroying 4,226.11 kilograms of skunk from cannabis farms. A suspect, Albert Shamaki (33), was arrested.
On Thursday, 19th June, officers also raided Big Jamaya supermarket in Emado community, Esan West LGA, arresting Esther Abumere (28) and recovering assorted illicit drugs, including Colorado, Loud, Molly, tramadol, and other opioids. A separate raid at a provision shop in Idumeka, Igueben, led to the seizure of 1.143 kilograms of skunk and the arrest of Eko Gift (38).
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