NDLEA Nabs Lagos, Onitsha Boutique Owner With 127 Wraps of Cocaine Hidden in Stomach and Underwear.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 52-year-old businessman, Ejiofor Godwin Emeka, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano for attempting to smuggle 127 wraps of cocaine into Nigeria.

Ejiofor, who reportedly owns boutiques in Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra State, was intercepted on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, upon arrival from Bangkok, Thailand, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

According to a statement released on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the suspect was apprehended following credible intelligence. A body scan revealed that he had ingested several pellets of cocaine and concealed more inside his underwear.

“Ejiofor was immediately taken into custody after the scan confirmed he had ingested the drugs. A total of 58 wraps were recovered from his underwear, while another 69 pellets were later excreted in seven rounds, bringing the total to 127 wraps weighing 1.388 kilograms,” the statement said.

In related operations, NDLEA operatives in Lagos intercepted three shipments of illicit drugs bound for the United Kingdom between October 9 and 10. The seizures included 1.74 kg of methamphetamine hidden in glass ceramic blocks, 114 grams of pentazocine, 168 grams of tramadol injections, and 48 grams of tramadol capsules concealed in Vitamin C containers.

The agency also foiled attempts by other drug syndicates to smuggle 2.6 kg of skunk and 422 grams of tapentadol disguised as black soap heading to Turkey, 169 grams of cocaine hidden in women’s handbags destined for Australia, and 568 grams of “Loyd” cannabis concealed in herbal containers en route to the United Arab Emirates.

NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations against drug trafficking networks across Nigeria and beyond.

The United States has proposed prohibiting Chinese airlines from using Russian airspace while flying to or from American airports, a US document has shown, as the rival superpowers try to thrash out a trade deal.

The US Department of Transportation noted in a tentative order on Thursday a “desire… to prevent competitive imbalances arising between US and Chinese air carriers as a result of unequal access to third-country airspace.”

NDLEA Nabs Two Businessmen Returning From Brazil With 116 Wraps of Illicit Drugs in Lagos.

Two Brazil returnees, Ofoma Sunday and Ukachukwu Frank Ikechukwu, have excreted a total of 116 wraps of heroin and cocaine after days in observatory custody following their arrest by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Ofoma, 46, was arrested on Tuesday 16th September on arrival from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Ethiopian Airlines. A body scan confirmed he ingested illicit drugs. 

He had travelled on 3rd September to courier the consignment for a promised $2,500. A follow-up raid at Eliata Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, led to the arrest of 55-year-old Nweke Jude Chuckwudi, designated to recover the drugs. Ofoma eventually excreted 111 wraps of heroin weighing 1.452kg in eight batches.

Similarly, Ukachukwu was arrested during inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines passengers from Brazil via Addis Ababa on Friday 19th September. 

A scan showed dr¥g insertion, and under observation, he excreted five large wraps of cocaine weighing 145 grams.

In his statement, Ukachukwu confessed: “I bought nine wraps of cocaine in Brazil and inserted them into my anus. The process took me nearly two hours. During transit in Addis Ababa, I felt severe anal pain and removed all the wraps. In a rush to catch my connecting flight, I could only reinsert seven and flushed two. On the flight to Lagos, I felt pressed and expelled two more in the lavatory, leaving five inside me.”

He further revealed he had been in the clothing business before moving to Brazil in 2017, later relocating to the U.S., where he was arrested for immigration offences and deported in 2022. In March 2025, he returned to Brazil after securing a residence permit.

Abuja dispatch rider arrested with cocaine, loud.

NDLEA Seizes N3.99bn Drugs, Arrests 34 Suspects Across Eight States

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has confirmed the arrest of 34 suspects across Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abuja, Oyo, Edo, Yobe, and Anambra States during operations between September 7 and 11, 2025.

The agency retrieved a total of N3.99bn worth of drugs and intercepted large quantities including over 2.6 million tramadol pills, 6,029 bottles of skuchies, 4,232kg of cannabis, 196 litres of Akuskura, 17kg of skunk, 13.9kg of methamphetamine, and several other psychoactive substances.

The report, released on Sunday and signed by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed that no fewer than 2.6 million pills were recovered during the operations.

According to the NDLEA, traffickers employed multiple smuggling models, including concealment in multi-vitamin cartons, vehicle spare parts, food items, picture frames, and courier packages, as well as trafficking via passengers at airports and motorcycles across borders.

On Thursday, September 11, NDLEA officers swooped on a clearing agent and two drivers attempting to move 2.5 million tramadol pills disguised as multi-vitamins from the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The consignment, worth ₦3.99 billion, had arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Delhi, India, on Monday, September 8.

A follow-up operation on Friday, September 12, led to the arrest of the Indian businessman, Gupta Ravi Kumar, believed to be the consignee, alongside three Nigerian accomplices: Ogunlana Noah Olanrewaju, Olushola Idrees Kayode, and Bakare Korede Muheeb.

NCAA Summons Airlines Over Flight Delays, Refunds; Vows To Name And Shame Defaulters
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has summoned all domestic airlines to a meeting in Abuja over persistent flight disruptions, refunds, and poor passenger handling. NCAA spokesman Michael Achimugu said the meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, will address unresolved compensation issues, unruly passenger behaviour, and the planned introduction of RFID bag tags. He warned that airlines which cancel or delay flights without providing required passenger care will soon be “named and shamed” as part of stricter enforcement of aviation regulations.

#NCAA #Airlines #Nigeria

NDLEA Arrests Suspected Drug Kingpin, Five Others Over Kano Pilgrims’ Detention In Saudi Arabia

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected drug kingpin and five members of his syndicate accused of planting narcotics in the luggage of innocent pilgrims who flew out of Kano to Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

The syndicate, led by 55-year-old Mohammed Abubakar alias Bello Karama, allegedly smuggled illicit substances onto Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which departed Kano on August 6 for Jeddah via Addis Ababa.

Their actions reportedly led to the detention of three Nigerians in Saudi Arabia — including a 39-year-old mother of five, Maryam Hussaini, Mrs. Abdullahi Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddiq — all still being held on drug trafficking charges.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, investigations showed the pilgrims checked in only one personal bag each, but members of the syndicate, working with Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) staff, illegally tagged six additional bags in their names, three of which contained drugs.

Karama allegedly travelled separately on Egypt Air while accomplices checked in the narcotics. Other suspects named include Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Olalekan, Celestina Yayock, and Jazuli Kabir, all of whom reportedly confessed, with payment trails traced to them.

NDLEA Chairman Brig Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) is expected to meet with Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) during an upcoming international drug conference to push for the release of the innocent detainees.

“The evidence clearly shows these Nigerians are victims of a criminal conspiracy, not traffickers. We will pursue this matter until justice is done,” Babafemi said.

The case has reignited concerns over airport baggage security, with fresh measures promised at Kano airport. Families of the detained pilgrims have also urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts.

“She went to Saudi Arabia to worship God. Instead, she is in prison for a crime others committed. Now that the truth is out, Nigeria must bring her back,” said Maryam’s husband, Abdullahi Baffa.

#NDLEA #DrugTrafficking #Kano #SaudiArabia

Newsbrief: United Nigeria Airlines Announces 15 Job Vacancies Across Departments

United Nigeria Airlines has opened applications for 15 new job roles as part of efforts to expand its workforce and strengthen operations nationwide.

Available positions include Station Manager, Baggage Handler, Customer Service Executive, Experienced Flight Dispatcher, License Processing Officer, Crew Scheduling Officer, and Senior Internal Auditor.

The airline said it is seeking motivated young professionals for both ground operations and flight services. Interested applicants are encouraged to send their CVs and cover letters to careers@flyunitednigeria.com
.
#UnitedNigeriaAirlines #Jobs #Nigeria #Aviation

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have been sued by passengers who claim they were charged extra for a window seat but found themselves sitting next to a blank wall.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed that all mobile phones must now be completely switched off during take-off & landing, ruling out the use of airplane mode.

In an update posted on X on Tuesday, Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, said the agency has unified regulations on the use of phones & other electronic devices onboard aircraft in Nigeria.

“During the critical phases of flight take-off & landing all phones must be switched off,” Achimugu stated. He added that airlines are required to update their security programmes to reflect this new directive if not already in place.

According to him, the use of airplane mode will remain suspended until future reviews of the regulation “to reflect evolving technological situations.”

The new directive follows an emergency meeting with aviation stakeholders & comes in the wake of a recent air rage incident involving a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, who was accused of unruly behaviour on an Ibom Air flight.

JUST IN: NCAA Orders Passengers To Switch Off Phones During Flights

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed that all passengers must switch off mobile phones and portable electronic devices during takeoff and landing.

NCAA Director General, Chris Najomo, announced the new rule at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, citing recent clashes between airline staff and passengers, including a heated incident involving Comfort Emmanson and an Ibom Air flight attendant.

Najomo said the directive ends the inconsistency of different airlines applying different rules, stressing that “nothing like flight mode any longer.” Airlines are to update their operations manuals and submit them to NCAA for approval.

He added that while future reviews may be considered as technology improves, passengers must comply with crew instructions at all times.

#NCAA #Aviation #Nigeria #AirTravel #IbomAir #Passengers #FlightSafety

Lawyer Sues FG, NCAA for N500bn Over Alleged Special Treatment of KWAM1.

Public interest lawyer Ayodele Ademiluyi has filed a N500 billion suit at the Federal High Court, Lagos, against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and others over alleged breaches of the rule of law in two aviation incidents involving musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1) and passenger Ms. Comfort Emmanson.

The suit, FHC/L/CS/1632/25, lists the President, Attorney-General of the Federation, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN), NCAA, FAAN, Ibom Air, ValueJet, Nigerian Correctional Service, King Wasiu, Nigerian Police Force, Governor of Akwa Ibom, the state’s Attorney-General, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria as respondents.

Addressing journalists, Ademiluyi said the action aims to “enforce accountability and protect the public interest,” stressing that the matter “transcends the personalities involved” and reflects “systemic d£cay” in the aviation sector.

“Our aviation system needs a complete overhauling. We cannot allow impunity to reign or degenerate into a banana republic where someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and walk away without consequence,” he said.

He accused authorities of failing to arrest or prosecute Kwam 1 while Emmanson faced swift sanctions. “It’s a gross imbalance… In fact, he was rewarded with a brand ambassadorship for the aviation sector.

What message does that send to the public?” Ademiluyi argued that appointing Kwam 1 as ambassador “sends the wrong signal” and alleged that Minister Keyamo acted “as if speaking for one of the airlines rather than enforcing the law.”

On the Airline Operators of Nigeria’s handling of the Emmanson case, he said the body acted as “complainant, prosecutor and judge” in imposing — then reversing — a life ban. “The central issue remains: Mr. Kwam 1 is walking the streets free. That is a big sl+p on the rule of law.” He urged the judiciary to set a precedent “that no one, regardless of influence or status, is above the law.”

PRESS STATEMENT: DECISION TO WITHDRAW CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST MS. COMFORT EMMANSON AND TO ADDRESS RELATED MATTERS

1. In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.

2. Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.

3. As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.
5. Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached:

THE CASE OF IBOM AIRLINE AND MS. COMFORT EMMANSON

(a) In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.

(b) Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.

(c) I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently. THE CASE OF VALUEJET AND WASIU AYINDE MARSHALL (KWAM 1)

(d) In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
(e) Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.

(f) In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA.

AIRLINE OPERATORS, AVIATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

6. I have directed all relevant Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare our Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.

7. The Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus.

FINAL COMMENTS
8. These above decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.

9. We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.

FESTUS KEYAMO

BREAKING

CNN claimed that open-source flight tracking data shows a Russian military cargo aircraft, an Ilyushin-76 belonging to Gelix Airlines, flew from Moscow to Tehran on July 11. The aircraft remained on the ground for about three hours before returning to Moscow.

News Brief: ₦712bn Lagos Terminal Rebuild Funded by Subsidy Savings – Keyamo.

The Nigerian Federal Government will spend ₦712 billion to completely rebuild Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo has confirmed. He defended the project amid public backlash, explaining it will be funded through savings from petrol subsidy removal and exchange rate reforms.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Keyamo described the terminal—originally built over 40 years ago—as “decrepit,” citing leaking roofs, broken carousels, and poor sanitation. He said the current state could push international airlines to abandon Nigerian routes due to safety and insurance concerns.

“This is not a budgetary expenditure,” Keyamo said. “It’s part of the Renewed Hope Infrastructural Funding.”

The 22-month project will fully demolish and redesign the terminal, aiming to turn Lagos into a continental aviation hub on par with Ethiopia and South Africa. Keyamo also noted that the outdated airport layout has hindered local-to-international flight connections for decades.

Critics argue the ₦712bn plan is ill-timed given soaring inflation and widespread hardship caused by recent economic reforms.

#LagosAirport #AviationUpgrade #FestusKeyamo #NigeriaInfrastructure #TerminalRebuild

American Airlines Plane Catches Fire at Denver Airport, 179 Evacuated

An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 caught fire on the runway at Denver International Airport on Saturday, prompting the emergency evacuation of 173 passengers and six crew members via emergency slides.

Flight 3023, bound for Miami, suffered a suspected landing gear failure just before takeoff around 2:45 p.m. local time. Video shared online showed smoke and flames near the rear of the aircraft. One person was hospitalized with minor injuries, while others were safely evacuated.

The FAA has launched an investigation. American Airlines confirmed a tire-related maintenance issue and said the aircraft has been removed from service.#AmericanAirlines, #DenverAirport, #EmergencyLanding,

Operatives of the NDLEA have uncovered multiple dr¥g consignments cleverly concealed in everyday items at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos.

NDLEA spokesperson revealed that 23 parcels of “loud” c@nnab+s, weighing 11.3kg, were discovered hidden inside new microwaves brought in from Thailand via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. A suspect, Ezenwegbu Chike, was arrested in connection with the July 7 seizure.

In a separate operation, the agency also intercepted shipments of c%caine disguised as female beauty products. One involved 420 grams of c%caine packed into 84 lipsticks destined for the UK

More recently on July 11, NDLEA operatives seized another batch of c%caine concealed in lipsticks found among cosmetics and hair attachments heading to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. This batch weighed about 400 grams & was mixed with phen@cet+n, a known cutting agent

The NDLEA says the discoveries highlight the growing use of unconventional methods to traffic n@rcotics through Nigerian airports

Ex-footballer, four others arrested for drug trafficking in Lagos, Kano.


The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a former international football player, Segun George Hunkarin, and his associate, Ntoruka Chinedu, for attempting to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria through Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Chinedu, a regular traveller known for importing clothes from Turkey and exporting foodstuffs from Nigeria, was arrested on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, upon arrival from Turkey via an Ethiopian Airlines flight with a stopover in Addis Ababa.

A statement by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday stated that a search of his hand luggage uncovered 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800 grammes, which he had reportedly collected in Ethiopia before heading to Nigeria.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Hunkarin, a former professional footballer who had spent years playing in Brazil.

Terror as American Airlines plane catches fire mid flight.

An American Airlines plane caught fire mid flight, sending passengers into a panic.

The jet, destined for Charlotte, North Carolina, had just taken off from Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport on Wednesday, June 25, when fire started coming out of one of the engines.

Pilots onboard the plane, which was carrying 153 passengers and six crew, had to quickly divert course back to the airport after passengers spotted the flames.

Footage has since emerged on social media showing the jet with a trail of black smoke following it. Fire can be seen spurting out of the side of the engine.

Shortly after, the aircraft was returned to the airport, where an inspection was carried out.

Nobody onboard was injured, officials said.

Construction worker Richard Pedrosa told The Las Vegas Review-Journal that he had heard a loud bang before spotting the plane overheard with its engine on fire.

"New Danfo!!!" – Reality TV star Tacha calls out Nigerian airlines for allegedly making stops to pick up passengers.

NDLEA Arrests Saudi-Bound Pilgrims, Seizes ₦9.3bn Worth of Drugs in Rivers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two intending hajj pilgrims and dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate smuggling cocaine to Saudi Arabia. The agency also intercepted drugs valued at over ₦9.3 billion during a sweeping operation in Rivers State.

In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi revealed that two pilgrims—Ibrahim Umar Mustapha and Muhammad Siraj Shifado—were arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah on May 26. Both suspects were found to have ingested 45 wraps of cocaine each, totaling 90 pellets weighing 1.04 kilograms.

“The interdiction at the NDLEA final screening point followed credible intelligence,” Babafemi said. “After body scans confirmed drug ingestion, both individuals were placed under excretion observation.”

Syndicate Dismantled
A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of three alleged kingpins—Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Muhammed Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba—on May 27 and 28 in Kano. The group is suspected of sponsoring hajj pilgrims as drug couriers to Saudi Arabia.

“This network has been identified as a major player in trafficking drugs during pilgrimage seasons,” Babafemi added.

Businessman Arrested En Route to Iran
In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives at the Kano airport arrested Chinedu Leonard Okigbo, a 60-year-old businessman, while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight to Iran. A body scan revealed he had ingested 65 wraps of cocaine, weighing 1.41 kilograms.

Massive Seizures in Rivers
Between May 28 and 30, seven watch-listed containers were jointly inspected by NDLEA officers, Customs officials, and other security agencies at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne. The operation yielded:

825,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup and trodol, worth ₦5.77 billion

5,100,000 pills of opioids, including tapentadol 225mg, valued at ₦3.57 billion

The combined street value of the seized drugs was put at ₦9.346 billion.

Other Major Operations
In Kano, two men—Abubakar Hussein (42) and Sahabi Adamu (53)—were caught along the Kano-Maiduguri road on May 30 with $900,000 in suspected counterfeit cash.

In Adamawa, operatives recovered 390 blocks of skunk (cannabis) weighing 275.3kg from an abandoned Toyota Sienna vehicle on May 27.

In Kwara State, on May 31, notorious drug dealer Alhaja Mutiat Abdul-Fatai was arrested at Oja Oba, Ilorin. Various opioids including tramadol, flunitrazepam, and codeine syrup were recovered.

Public Sensitization and Commendation
NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy continued with sensitization sessions in schools across Katsina, Enugu, Anambra, Kano, and Cross River.

The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), praised the efforts of the agency's commands in Kano, Rivers, Kwara, and Adamawa, and urged continued commitment to drug supply and demand reduction.

“These successes reflect the agency’s unwavering resolve in combating the drug menace across Nigeria,” Marwa said.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday, June 1, 2025