…bags full of explosives en route to Kano, Kaduna seized
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 30-year-old Brazilian woman, Ingrid Rosa Benevides, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with a total of 30.09 kilograms of white heroin hidden in factory sealed coffee packs, with a street value of over N3 billion.
NDLEA Media and Advocacy Director Femi Babafemi said the suspect, who worked as a private security officer in Brazil, was arrested at the Abuja Airport on Friday, January 23, 2026, upon arrival on Qatar Airways flight QR1431.
Also read: NDLEA makes 77,792 arrests, 14,225 convictions, 14.8 million kilograms of drugs seized
NDLEA said a search of two of its check-in bags revealed 21 factory-sealed packets of Brazilian coffee.
“When the coffee bags were opened, instead of containing beverages, what was found inside was a white substance which later tested positive for heroin, weighing a total of 30.09 kilograms, making it the largest seizure of heroin at the Abuja Airport.
“During her initial interview, the suspect claimed that she brought the consignment of white heroin under the guise of coming to Nigeria for holidays.”
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday, January 20, intercepted two passengers: Adediran Adedoyin and Afatakpa Ochuko, who were traveling on a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, Turkey, with a total of 3,990 tablets of Tapentadol 250 mg and 225 mg in food items packed in their bags. The tram markings were hidden.
NDLEA said operatives of the agency's Maritime Command intercepted a wooden boat laden with 44 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 1,848 kilograms Ghana Loud at Jakande beach in Lekki Lagos in the early hours of January 22.
“The shipment had barely arrived from Ghana when NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence raided the location at about 1am and recovered the consignment and the boat.
The agency said it also arrested two suspects; That is; Aminu Ali Baba, 20, and Abdulrasheed Abubakar, 28, were arrested on Friday January 23 in connection with the seizure of two bags containing 140 packets of explosives that were headed towards Kano and Kaduna.
Also read:NDLEA arrests female drug kingpin with 23.50kg of cocaine worth N5bn
The bags were intercepted in a commercial bus along the Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Zaria, while Aminu Ali Baba was arrested at Karota Park, Kano and Abdulrasheed Abubakar was apprehended at Mando Park, Kaduna in quick follow-up.
“On Thursday, January 22, an intelligence led raid was conducted in Kwangila, Zaria LGA Kaduna, arresting Fatima Ibrahim, 42, and Adejimoh Ismaila, 44, with 120 kilograms of skunk recovered from them.”
As part of efforts to disrupt the supply chain of illicit drugs to terror groups, NDLEA operatives in Borno State on Wednesday, January 21, intercepted 179,590 tablets of Tramadol and Diazepam hidden in sacks of charcoal and animal feed in a public transport car coming from Potiskum, Yobe.
“A follow-up operation in Bulbulin, Maiduguri led to the arrest of the owner, Rabiu Imam, 32.
A female suspect, Eze Cynthia Chioma, was on Friday, January 23, arrested in Mokwa, Niger State in a follow-up operation by operatives of the NDLEA following the seizure of a consignment of 78,500 tablets of Tramadol in a truck coming from Lagos in Bode Sadu, Kwara State.
“Her husband is currently in jail and facing trial, having been arrested last year for drug trafficking crimes.”
In Ekiti, NDLEA operatives arrested 72-year-old Afolalu Joseph of his 15 Aramoko Road, Mushin, Ilawe-Ekiti and 45-year-old Abu Bunmi (aka Go Slow) of his residence in New Jerusalem area, Eriginyan Road, Ilawe-Ekiti for illegal drug dealing. A total of 62 kg of skunk was recovered from both of them.
“A village head, Chief James Abamu and another suspect, Aboye Egah Abamu, have been detained by the Edo State Command of the NDLEA, following their arrest and quick transfer to the agency by troops of the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade, Benin City, following a raid operation at Lagos Camp Ilushi in Esan South East LGA, where 681 kilograms of skunk and 181 kilograms of cannabis seeds were recovered from them.
The trio of Abba Hassan, Anas Mohammed Auwal and Sadiq Ismail were arrested at Sabon Gari area of Kano on Tuesday, January 20 with 1,000 ampoules of Pentazocine injection, the duo of Olajumoke Ridwan and Baruwa Ibukun were arrested at Paris Lounge, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday, January 22 with 181.5 liters of skuchi, a mixture. Skunk and other illegal substances were recovered from them.
“In Benue State, a female suspect, Janet Iornongu, was arrested with 210 kilograms of skunk at Yas Ikuan village, Guma LGA, while a total of 254.5 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance was seized from Anita Job along Abaji-Toto Road, FCT.
“On Monday January 19, a total of 39,800 tablets of Tramadol 225 mg were recovered from two suspects: Hamisu Misbahu and Chima Obi at Alaba Rago, Mile 2 area of Lagos.
“At least 30,003 tablets of Tramadol, Molly and other opioids as well as 20 liters of codeine syrup were seized from one suspect, Chinyecherem Cyprian Ugwu, by NDLEA officers at Sapele Road Warri in Delta State on Thursday January 22, while 57-year-old Kayode Obameye was seized with 1,500 liters of drug at Mobil Roundabout, Akure, Ondo State. Kilogram was recovered from the skunk.
The NDLEA also disclosed that its sensitization will continue across all commands and formations of the agency across the country.
“NDLEA officers continued their war against drug abuse, (WADA) over the past week with sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
“These include: WADA Enlightenment Lecture for students and staff of Taraba, State Command of NDLEA organizes WADA Enlightenment Lecture for students and staff of Government Science Secondary Schools”.
