NDLEA Foils Fake Pregnancy Drug Plot, Nabs Alleged Real Estate Kingpin in Nationwide Crackdown

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted dramatic attempts by suspected traffickers to smuggle illicit drugs through Nigeria’s borders, intercepting a woman who faked pregnancy to conceal narcotics and an Ivorian national who excreted 82 wraps of cocaine at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

The arrests formed part of a sweeping nationwide crackdown that also led to the capture of a Lagos-based real estate chief executive allegedly heading a drug distribution network, a 68-year-old grandmother, and several other suspects across multiple states.

At the Seme land border in Lagos last Monday, NDLEA officers intercepted 35-year-old Kano businesswoman, Rabi Muhammad, as she attempted to cross into Cotonou, Benin Republic. Officers became suspicious of her visibly protruding abdomen during departure checks.

A comprehensive search exposed the deception: her “pregnancy” was fabricated using a pink-coloured calabash strapped to her stomach. Concealed inside were 3,200 capsules of tramadol intended for sale across the border.

On the same day, NDLEA operatives at the departure hall of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport stopped 41-year-old Ivorian national, Michael Gohouri, during outward clearance for Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 bound for Milan via Addis Ababa.

Body scan results confirmed ingestion of illicit substances. Under observation, the suspect excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.

Investigations revealed that Gohouri had arrived in Lagos from Milan on January 17, 2026, travelled between Lagos and Enugu for three weeks, and later moved to Kano where he ingested the cocaine in a hotel room. He was reportedly promised €5,000 upon successful delivery in Milan.

The suspect, who claims dual Nigerian and Ivorian heritage, applied for asylum in Italy in 2013 and holds a resident permit valid until May 25, 2026. He also possesses a Nigerian National Identification Number under the name Anunwa Onyinye Michael.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trans Fortress Global Resources, Mr. Kolapo Oladapo Raji, described by authorities as a suspected drug kingpin.

Raji, 57, was apprehended on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at his Safe Court Apartment residence in Ikate, Lekki, shortly after returning from the United Kingdom. He had reportedly been on the agency’s watchlist since 2025.

A search of his residence uncovered four large bags containing 89.20 kilograms of “Canadian Loud,” a potent cannabis strain. Officers also recovered a 2024 Toyota Hilux at the point of arrest.

According to NDLEA, Raji admitted financing drug consignments for overseas associates and later establishing his own distribution network after receiving hundreds of millions of naira in profits.

In separate operations: Ugwuja Kingsley was arrested in Agbara, Lagos, with 56kg of skunk, while Ekwe Arinze was caught with 76kg at a motor park in Oshodi.

At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, NDLEA, working with Customs and other security agencies, intercepted 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container following intelligence-driven inspection.

Along the Okene/Lokoja highway in Kogi State, officers recovered 7,300 tramadol 225mg pills concealed in two sound systems aboard a commercial bus. Follow-up operations in Zuba, Abuja led to the arrest of two suspects.

In Ondo State’s Iju forest, operatives arrested suspects with a combined 393kg of skunk.

In Bauchi State, 936kg of skunk was seized in Azare town, alongside additional arrests and recoveries totaling 85.8kg.

In Delta State, 37kg of skunk was seized from a female suspect in Ughelli.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 1,266.8475kg of skunk on three farms in Owan West LGA, recovering 23kg of processed cannabis and arresting two suspects, including a 68-year-old grandmother.

Beyond enforcement, the agency intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across schools and communities nationwide, delivering lectures and awareness programmes in Oyo, Yobe, Imo, Gombe, Cross River, Kano, and Lagos states.

Commending officers from various state commands for the arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, lauded their balanced strategy combining supply reduction with demand reduction efforts.

“The operational successes recorded across commands demonstrate our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation from the devastating impact of illicit drugs,” he stated.

NDLEA Foils Fake Pregnancy Drug Plot, Nabs Alleged Real Estate Kingpin in Nationwide Crackdown