NDLEA nabs brothers over alleged attempt to smuggle cocaine to India through Lagos airport

Two brothers, John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31, were arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, as they allegedly tried to board a flight to India with 5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in their suitcases.

According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the suspects were apprehended on Thursday, April 3, following actionable intelligence.

A statement by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the suspects claimed they were heading to India for medical reasons. However, a search of their luggage led officers to discover a white, powdery substance hidden within the bag linings—later confirmed to be cocaine.

In a related operation on the same day, officers from the MMIA Strategic Command detained a 20-year-old Ghanaian-British national, Parker Darren Hazekia Osei. The suspect was found with 36 parcels of “Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, totaling 19.40 kilograms, packed inside a large travel bag.

“The suspect who claims he is a student of Computer Science at East London University, UK, was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, at the E-arrival hall of the Lagos airport..

“In his statement, the techie claims he lives with his parents in the UK but left London about a week ago for Bangkok where he picked up the illicit drug consignment to deliver in Nigeria,” Babafemi said.

Elsewhere, in Abia State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 75-year-old man, Nna Nnanna Felix, with 1.6 kilograms of skunk during a raid in Umunteke Asa, Ukwa West LGA. Also, on April 1, another suspect, David Chinemerem, 21, was found in possession of 2,050 ampoules of pentazocine at 7 Nnajiego Lane, Umuode Road, Aba.

Meanwhile, in Kogi State, a woman identified as Ngozi Ogili, 33, was apprehended while allegedly transporting 3 kilograms of methamphetamine from Lagos to Abuja. She was travelling in a commercial bus when officers intercepted her along the Okene-Lokoja highway on Monday, March 31.

A subsequent follow-up operation at her delivery point in the Apo Mechanic area of Abuja led to the seizure of additional quantities of Loud and Colorado, two synthetic variants of cannabis.