A 34-year-old Ugandan woman, Farida Nansubuga, has been arrested in Nigeria for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.15kg of cocaine to her home country. The arrest was made by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on November 3, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Nansubuga was preparing to board a flight to Uganda when she was apprehended.
According to the NDLEA, 87 wraps of cocaine were discovered concealed around Nansubuga's private parts during a joint screening operation involving NDLEA officers and aviation security personnel. The agency said Nansubuga had arrived in Nigeria on October 29 with members of her church for a prayer session at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos. However, while the other members of her delegation returned to Uganda, she allegedly remained in Nigeria to collect the drug consignment for a friend identified as Joy.
Preliminary investigations established that a Nigerian contact arranged transportation for Nansubuga to a hotel, where an unidentified man handed over the drugs. Nansubuga allegedly told investigators that she was instructed to conceal the cocaine beneath her clothing to evade security checks. She was reportedly promised at least $1,000 for successfully delivering the consignment, although no definite payment arrangement had been reached.
The NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), warned that drug trafficking networks were increasingly exploiting religious activities and international travel to recruit unsuspecting or willing couriers. He described the incident as a disturbing example of how criminal networks use religious affiliations and travel opportunities to facilitate drug trafficking.
Marwa said the case of the Ugandan woman was a sad reminder that drug cartels would stop at nothing, including exploiting faith and religious travel, to recruit couriers for their deadly trade. The NDLEA said the arrest formed part of its efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks and prevent Nigeria from being used as a transit point for illicit drugs.
The incident highlights the growing concern over drug trafficking in Nigeria and the need for increased vigilance at airports and other border control points. The NDLEA has been working to strengthen its operations and collaborate with international partners to combat the threat of drug trafficking.
Nansubuga is currently being held by the NDLEA and is expected to face trial for her alleged role in the attempted smuggling of cocaine. The agency is continuing to investigate the incident and is working to identify other individuals who may have been involved in the plot.
Key points
- The NDLEA arrested a 34-year-old Ugandan evangelist for attempting to smuggle 1.15kg of cocaine concealed around her pelvic region.
- The incident highlights the growing concern over drug trafficking in Nigeria and the need for increased vigilance at airports and other border control points.
- The NDLEA is working to disrupt international drug trafficking networks and prevent Nigeria from being used as a transit point for illicit drugs.
