NDLEA arrests newlywed attempting to traffic cocaine via Enugu airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 25-year-old businessman Lovely Chukwulobelu at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu for allegedly attempting to traffic 72 wraps of cocaine to Portugal. Intercepted on September 25, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight, the suspect was placed under excretion observation and subsequently expelled the illicit substances from his stomach. Chukwulobelu, who recently married on September 13, reportedly claimed he turned to drug trafficking to cover his wedding expenses.

In a separate major operation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the NDLEA seized approximately 2,550,000 opioid pills, including Tramaking and Royal Tapentadol, weighing a total of 1,640.55kg. The drugs, which originated from India and Bangladesh, have an estimated street value of over N3 billion.

Additional enforcement actions included the seizure of 262.5kg of cannabis in Bauchi, the destruction of cannabis farms in Edo, and the recovery of 305.6kg of cannabis in Oyo State. At the Seme border in Lagos, authorities also intercepted 1,688.4kg of nitrous oxide.