By Adewunmi Oluwaseun
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted a significant drug trafficking attempt involving a woman who concealed cocaine in her hijab and a United Kingdom-based ex-convict, among other suspects, during recent operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and across multiple Nigerian states.
In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that the woman, identified as Adebisi Kafayat, was arrested at the Lagos airport during the outward clearance of passengers on a flight to Medina, Saudi Arabia.
NDLEA operatives discovered parcels of cocaine strategically hidden inside her hijab and wrapped around her waist in a desperate attempt to evade security checks.
In a separate operation, the Agency apprehended a UK-returnee, Babatunde Michael, at his Lagos residence following intelligence linking him to a shipment of illegal drugs.
Michael, who previously served time in a British prison for drug-related offences, was found with multiple packets of cocaine and heroin concealed in his personal effects.
Other coordinated raids across states such as Ogun, Edo, and the Federal Capital Territory led to the arrest of additional suspects and the seizure of significant quantities of cannabis sativa, tramadol, and methamphetamine.
The NDLEA emphasized that these operations were part of its ongoing offensive against drug cartels exploiting air, land, and sea routes to distribute illicit substances.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers involved for their vigilance and reiterated the Agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and bringing perpetrators to justice.
He urged members of the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities, adding that traffickers will continue to face the full wrath of the law, regardless of how ingenious their smuggling methods may be.