National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, after finding 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in his luggage.
The suspect, who said he was travelling to London, United Kingdom, for a vacation, was nabbed at the airport’s departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 bound for Heathrow on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
In a statement issued by the spokesman of the anti-narcotic agency, Femi Babafemi, officers discovered the cocaine during a search of the suspect’s luggage.
“In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of Monday 9th March arrested a woman, Mrs. Maryam Olalowo at (hotel) Victoria Island, while attempting to sell 89grams of cocaine and 20grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis. She was found with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest. She confessed the illicit drugs belong to her husband, Ibrahim Olatunji, who was later taken into custody same day while his wife was immediately set free,” the statement said.
Babafemi added that blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were hidden inside food items in the suspect’s luggage.
“During a search of his luggage, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons.”
