The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported a series of drug arrests and seizures across Southwest Nigeria, including the recovery of 36.65kg of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and 583kg of cannabis in Ondo State.
The operations, carried out between October 7 and October 23, 2026, also resulted in the arrest of a South African woman, a Nigerian-American grandmother, a Lagos car dealer and several other suspects.
NDLEA disclosed the developments in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
South African arrested with 36.65kg cocaine in Lagos
One of the major arrests occurred on October 7 at the departure hall of MMIA in Ikeja, Lagos, where operatives arrested 34-year-old South African national, Qhina Beauty.
According to NDLEA, Beauty was attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa through Doha when officers searched her two travelling bags and discovered 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65kg.
The cocaine was allegedly laced with dried pepper, wrapped in cello tape and concealed in seven separate parcels.
During questioning, Beauty reportedly told investigators that she arrived in Nigeria on September 30 specifically to collect the consignment. She allegedly said another South African woman recruited her and promised to pay R20,000 after successful delivery.
She also identified two other alleged members of the syndicate — one based in the United States and another, a Lagos-based car dealer.
Investigations subsequently led to the arrest of 46-year-old Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, on October 14.
NDLEA said Umunnakwe was arrested after surveillance at his Shasha residence.
He reportedly admitted receiving Beauty at the airport, taking her to Santiago Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin and later moving her to Cynarisso Hotel near the airport ahead of her intended departure.
US-based grandmother arrested at Lagos airport
Another major interception took place at MMIA on October 21 when NDLEA officers arrested 62-year-old Anetor Gloria Ubong, a Nigerian-American realtor based in Richmond, Texas.
Ubong, who holds Nigerian and United States passports, had arrived aboard a United Airlines flight from Houston.
A search of her two checked-in boxes allegedly uncovered 18 parcels containing 9.45kg of “loud”, a high-grade cannabis product.
The substance was concealed with gift-wrapping paper inside a box.
NDLEA said Ubong claimed that her daughter and her daughter’s future brother-in-law had delivered the box to her home in the United States for onward transportation to Nigeria and delivery to her daughter’s fiancé, identified as Jibola.
More drugs recovered in Lagos
Lagos also recorded another major seizure on October 23 when operatives of NDLEA’s special operations unit arrested 41-year-old Eletu Rasheedat in the Eti-Osa area.
The agency said officers recovered 5,820 diazepam pills, 780 tramadol tablets, 3.7kg of skunk and 230.25 litres of skuchies during the operation.
NDLEA arrests Ibadan cannabis suspect
In Ibadan, Oyo State, NDLEA operatives arrested 41-year-old Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi in the Adamasingba area on October 19.
His arrest followed an earlier operation at his residence on September 16, during which officers seized 197.8kg of cannabis sativa.
NDLEA said Fajana had initially escaped during the earlier attempt to arrest him before officers eventually apprehended him on October 19.
583kg cannabis recovered from Ondo farm
Ondo State also recorded a significant cannabis seizure after NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence, raided a farm at Board-Ala in Akure South Local Government Area on October 20.
Officers recovered 56 abandoned bags of cannabis sativa weighing 583kg.
The seizure formed part of the agency’s intelligence-led operations against cannabis cultivation and distribution in the South-West.
WADA campaign reaches Ogun, Osun schools
Beyond arrests and seizures, NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in South-West communities.
The agency held an enlightenment lecture for students and staff of Oje Grammar School in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Similar activities were conducted at Baptist Primary School, Olorunda, Ogun State, and Kelebe Community Grammar School, Osogbo, Osun State.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged personnel across the country to sustain efforts against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
The latest operations place Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun and Osun among the South-West states featured in the agency’s latest enforcement and drug-abuse prevention activities.
