Nigerian Drug Enforcement Agency Thwarts Elaborate Smuggling Operations
In a concerted effort to combat drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered two shocking smuggling schemes involving a woman posing as pregnant and a man who ingested numerous cocaine packages. These arrests reflect the agency’s proactive stance against illegal drug trade, particularly as it conducts raids across multiple states.
The two incidents occurred at critical transit points: the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano and the Seme land border in Lagos. Authorities successfully disrupted attempts to smuggle illicit drugs intended for European markets and beyond.
On February 16, 2026, Rabi Muhammad, a 35-year-old businesswoman from Kano, was apprehended while trying to leave Nigeria for Cotonou, Benin Republic. NDLEA operatives grew suspicious of her seemingly pronounced pregnancy. Upon a thorough examination, they discovered that her protruding abdomen was actually a cleverly disguised pink calabash, which was strapping 3,200 capsules of tramadol against her body.
The drugs were reportedly meant for sale in Cotonou before being distributed further afield. This unusual method of concealment left officials astounded and highlighted the lengths traffickers will go to evade law enforcement.
In a separate operation on the same day, the NDLEA detained Michael Gohouri, a 41-year-old man from Ivory Coast, at MAKIA. Gohouri was preparing to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan via Addis Ababa when he was screened, revealing that he had ingested drugs. Under medical supervision, he subsequently excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing a total of 1.49 kilograms.
Investigations revealed that Gohouri arrived in Lagos from Milan on January 17, 2026. He spent three weeks traveling between Lagos and Enugu before heading to Kano, where he ingested the cocaine while staying at a hotel. Reports suggest he stood to gain €5,000 upon successful delivery of the narcotics to Milan.
Complicating matters, Gohouri claims a mixed Ivorian and Nigerian heritage. He applied for asylum in Italy back in 2013 and holds a resident permit valid until May 25, 2026. He is also recognized under the Nigerian National Identification system.
In another significant bust, NDLEA operatives arrested a prominent figure in the drug trade: Kolapo Oladapo Raji, the Chairman and CEO of Trans Fortress Global Resources, on February 12, 2026. The 57-year-old had been on the agency’s radar since 2025, following substantiated intelligence regarding his involvement in drug trafficking activities. He was captured at his residence in Ikate, Lekki, shortly after returning from the UK.
During a search of his apartment, authorities discovered four large bags containing 19.20 kilograms of “Canadian Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis. This seizure underscores the breadth of Raji’s alleged operations and the potential threats posed by individuals in positions of influence.
These arrests are part of a broader initiative by the NDLEA to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across various Nigeria states, including Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Delta, and Kogi. The agency’s efforts also led to the detaining of individuals from various backgrounds, including a 68-year-old grandmother connected to drug distribution.
The latest operations emphasize the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to combating both transnational and domestic drug syndicates that exploit Nigeria’s borders and airports as key transit points for their illicit activities. The agency’s crackdown aims to protect the community and bring traffickers to justice, reflecting a unified stand against drug trafficking in Nigeria.
As drug enforcement efforts ramp up, it’s crucial for communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, contributing to a wider fight against drug smuggling and abuse in the region.
— Reported by Nexio News
