ABUJA
An Italy-based Nigerian businessman, Joseph Cyril, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.51kg at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Cyril, 30, was arrested on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight, ET930, to Italy via Addis Ababa and France.
The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Sunday that the suspect was subsequently placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled all 98 wraps of cocaine.
According to Babafemi, investigations showed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13 and ingested the drug in a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to board his flight to Europe.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had been doing business in Italy for years before agreeing to traffic the consignment for €3,500 to raise money to relocate to Germany, where his family is based.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to export 1.2kg of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers to Saudi Arabia.
The consignment was intercepted at a courier company in Lagos, while another 500g of cocaine hidden in the false bottom of a backpack was seized at a logistics company on its way to Italy on Monday, August 3.
On Tuesday, August 4, operatives also intercepted 2.3kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, imported from the United States through another shipping company in Lagos.
In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway on Tuesday intercepted a truck conveying 1,633kg of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts and arrested two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30.
Another 147kg of skunk was recovered from the Ita Ogbolu forest during a raid on Monday.
In Oyo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, on Monday and recovered 731.03kg of illicit drugs.
A 57-year-old suspect, Felicia Thompson, was arrested, while her alleged partner, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, is currently at large.
Similarly, NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5kg at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Wednesday.
In Abia State, a drug joint operator, Chibuike Charles, 31, was arrested during a raid at his Samec by Powerline base in Osisioma Local Government Area on Thursday. Seven kilogrammes of skunk were recovered from the suspect.
In Lagos, a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry on Saturday after a three-month manhunt. NDLEA said 88.5kg of skunk was recovered from him at the point of arrest.
Also in Lagos, 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4kg were discovered during a joint examination of a 40-foot container at the Tin Can Island Port Complex on Tuesday.
A suspect, Larry Nnaji, has been arrested in connection with the seizure.
The NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns across the country, with enlightenment programmes held at schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
The agency conducted WADA lectures for students and staff of Islamic High School, Saki, Oyo State; Holy Ghost Academy, Nkpor, Anambra State; and Madarasatul Hidayatul Aulad Islamiyya, Gaya, Kano State.
The Rivers State Command also paid a WADA advocacy visit to the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt.
Commending the officers and men of the various commands involved in the operations, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged them and their colleagues across the country to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.