NDLEA arrests man while boarding an Air France flight after swallowing 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine. Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur, 48, was later detained at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, Nigeria. This happened on December 22, 2024.
Orizu was pulled aside for a body scan during the clearance process. He claimed a medical condition would not allow him to undergo the scan. After further questioning, Orizu was taken into custody for excretion observation. He expelled 74 wraps of Class A drugs for over seven days.
The suspect admitted to being involved in drug trafficking. He revealed he operated a shop in Balogun Market on Lagos Island, selling school and travelling bags. He claimed a drug syndicate promised him 3,000 Euros for delivering the illicit drugs to Paris.
Orizu, hoping to evade detection, took a flight from Lagos to Abuja, connecting to the Paris-bound plane. He did not expect NDLEA’s vigilance to thwart his plans. Authorities are now investigating his connections to the international drug trade.
NDLEA arrests man and two boats filled with drugs
On December 24, 2024, NDLEA Marine Command officers intercepted two boats at Eleko Beach, Lagos. They contain 1,960 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud. This potent cannabis strain was being smuggled from Ghana to Nigeria.
Six foreign nationals were arrested during the operation. They included two Ghanaians—Godsway John (38) and Freedom Kelvin (33)—and four Beninese nationals—Chegoun Hounsou (23), Gadabor Nyameto (47), Adantg Sasa (34), and Ayao Kayivi (21). NLEA’s spokesman said it was a major blow to international drug trafficking efforts in the region.
Also, the agency arrested Ibrahim Shaibu (35) on December 25, at Central Motor Park in Katsina. He was allegedly with 35 kg of compressed cannabis. Just days later, on December 28, operatives arrested Umar Ahmed (47) along the Zaria-Malumfashi road with 13.5 kg of the same substance.
In Benin City, authorities detained Kosisochukwu Ozigbo (21) on December 23 with 32,490 tramadol pills. He also reportedly had 936 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
Anti-drug advocates are praising the NDLEA’s swift actions in intercepting drug consignments.
Agency’s chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged the operatives not to rest on their laurels. Marwa emphasized the need to continue intensifying the fight against drug cartels in the new year. He also stressed the importance of balancing drug supply reduction efforts with public education.
Leave feedback about this