The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.51 kilogrammes of cocaine out of Nigeria through the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Cyril was arrested on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers boarding an Ethiopian Airlines flight, ET930, to Europe via Addis Ababa and France.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was placed under excretion observation after operatives suspected that he had ingested narcotics. He subsequently excreted 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.
The agency said preliminary investigations revealed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and allegedly ingested the cocaine at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to catch his flight back to Europe.
In his statement to investigators, Cyril reportedly admitted that he agreed to traffic the drug for €3,500, allegedly to raise money to support his planned relocation to Germany, where his family is based.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine allegedly concealed in 25 phone chargers and destined for Saudi Arabia through a courier company.
Another 500 grammes of cocaine, hidden in the false bottom of a backpack and reportedly bound for Italy, was intercepted at a logistics company on August 3.
The agency also seized 2.3 kilogrammes of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, allegedly shipped into Nigeria from the United States.
Beyond Enugu and the South-East, the NDLEA reported several other major seizures across the country.
In Ondo State, operatives intercepted a truck travelling north along the Akure-Ilesha motorway with 1,633 kilogrammes of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts. Two suspects, 40-year-old Buba Jamilu and 30-year-old Sanusi Ibrahim, were arrested.
Another 147 kilogrammes of skunk was recovered from Ita Ogbolu Forest during a separate raid.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a suspected drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, recovering 731.03 kilogrammes of cannabis and arresting 57-year-old Felicia Thompson. Her alleged associate, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, is reportedly still at large.
In Edo State, 65 jumbo bags containing 604.5 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered at Ewe Luleha, Owan West Local Government Area, with the operation supported by personnel of the Nigerian Army.
In Abia State, a 31-year-old suspected drug joint operator, Chibuike Charles, was arrested during a raid at Samec by Powerline Base in Osisioma Local Government Area. Seven kilogrammes of skunk were recovered from the operation.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, a three-month manhunt for a wanted drug dealer ended with the arrest of Adome Claude Sikuru at the Fibre Market drug area in Badagry. NDLEA operatives recovered 88.5 kilogrammes of skunk from him.
The agency also intercepted a consignment of cannabis-infused food products at the Tincan Port Complex in Lagos.
During a joint examination by NDLEA operatives, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies, weighing 309.4 kilogrammes, were discovered inside a 40-foot container.
A suspect, Larry Nnaji, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA said its commands across the country continued with its War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation campaigns in schools, religious institutions, workplaces and communities.
The agency conducted awareness programmes at schools in Oyo, Anambra and Kano States, while the Rivers State Command carried out a WADA advocacy visit to the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt.
Commending the officers involved in the various operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), urged personnel to sustain intelligence-led operations and the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
The NDLEA said investigations into the various cases are ongoing.
