The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled an attempt by a 38-year-old businessman, Philip Tunde, to smuggle 4.8 kilogrammes of cocaine to Milan, Italy. Tunde was arrested on September 27, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, while preparing to board a Royal Air Maroc flight. The cocaine was concealed in the soles of shoes and railings of travelling bags.
According to the NDLEA's director of media and advocacy, Femi Babafem, operatives recovered 16 parcels of cocaine concealed in eight pairs of trainers and canvas shoes, as well as 195 wraps hidden inside the railings of four travelling bags. The exhibits, which tested positive for cocaine, weighed 4.80kg. The suspect allegedly disclosed that he paid N16 million in cash for the cocaine hidden in the shoes.
During interrogation, Tunde claimed that the money used to purchase the drugs came from compensation he received following an industrial injury in Italy, which resulted in the loss of the tips of two fingers. The NDLEA said the interception was part of its intensified operations against international drug trafficking networks. The agency has recorded major seizures at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne seaports.
At Apapa Port, Lagos, operatives recovered 124kg of Thai Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed inside two refrigerators and two cartons in a container from Bangkok, Thailand. The consignment was valued at N372 million. The NDLEA also made significant seizures at Onne Port, Rivers State, and Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.
The seizures at the three ports pushed the value of major drug consignments intercepted to more than N5 billion. In another major operation, NDLEA operatives destroyed 20,234kg of skunk cultivated on 8.0936 hectares of cannabis farm in Osun state. The operation, carried out on September 30, followed the arrest of suspects involved in the cultivation of the illicit crop.
The NDLEA also made arrests and seizures in various parts of the country, including Plateau state, Lagos, Kogi state, and Edo state. In Plateau state, operatives arrested 41-year-old Agbo Dennis at West of Mines, Jos North, with 33 bags of skunk weighing 385kg. The agency also arrested 23-year-old Ekundayo Taiwo at Ladipo spare parts market following the seizure of 61 grammes of Colorado and 24 grammes of methamphetamine.
Additionally, the NDLEA rearrested 47-year-old Idris Mohammed Kurra, who had been on the run for six years after allegedly jumping bail in a drug trafficking case. Kurra was facing trial before the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau state, over alleged possession and dealing in 198kg of skunk. His arrest brings to an end his six-year period as a fugitive.
Key points
- The NDLEA intercepted 4.8kg of cocaine hidden in shoes and travelling bags at Lagos airport.
- The agency made significant seizures at Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne seaports, valued at over N5 billion.
- The NDLEA also destroyed 20,234kg of skunk cultivated on a cannabis farm in Osun state.
