Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Kano-based businesswoman, Rabi Muhammad, for hiding 3,200 capsules of tramadol under the guise of pregnancy at Seme border.
Muhammad, 35, was intercepted by NDLEA officers at the departure tarmac of the Seme land border with a protruding tummy on Monday, February 16, 2026, while attempting to cross into Cotonou in the Republic of Benin.
The Director of Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement made available to ThelensNG on Sunday.
“A full body search however revealed the absurd: her pregnancy was fake and her baby bump was designed with a pink coloured calabash used to conceal 3,200 capsules of tramadol, which she tied around her stomach and was taking to Cotonou to sell,” the statement said.
NDLEA operatives also arrested the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Trans Fortress Global Resources, a real estate development firm, Mr. Kolapo Oladapo Raji.
Babafemi revealed that Raji has been on NDLEA watchlist since 2025 following credible intelligence.
Raji, 57, was eventually apprehended at his Safe Court Apartment residence in Ikate, Lekki, Lagos, on Thursday, February 12, 2026, after sustained surveillance soon after his return from the United Kingdom.
A search of his residence led to the recovery of four large bags containing parcels of Canadian Loud (a strong strain of cannabis) with a total weight of 89.20kg. A 2024 model Toyota Hilux was also recovered from him at the point of his arrest.
In his statement, Raji claimed he got involved in the illicit drug trade after financing some consignments for his overseas associate. He affirmed that hundreds of millions of naira paid to him as profit by his associate motivated him to establish his own independent drug distribution channel.
In another interdiction in Lagos, a suspect Ugwuja Kingsley was nabbed with 56kg skunk at Agbara on Thursday, February 19, 2026, while Ekwe Arinze was caught with 76kg of same substance at a motor park in Oshodi on Tuesday, February 17.
A total of 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup were discovered in a container during a joint examination of the shipment by NDLEA officers, Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State.
“The request by NDLEA for a 100% physical examination and search of the container followed processed intelligence on the shipment,” the spokesperson said.
No fewer than 7,300 pills of tramadol (225mg), concealed in two sound systems, were recovered by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Okene/Lokoja Highway, Kogi State, during the search of a commuter bus travelling from Lagos to Kano on Sunday, February 15.
A follow-up operation in Zuba, Abuja, on Tuesday, February 17, led to the arrest of the two suspects linked to the consignment — Ezenma Kingsley, 26, and Ezeja Anthony, 29.
In Ondo State, a suspect Bright Timothy, 28, was arrested at Iju forest on Thursday, February 19, with 195kg skunk and seeds while another suspect Godwin Bernard was nabbed with 198kg of same substance when NDLEA operatives raided their enclaves in the forest.
A total of 936 kilograms of skunk were seized from a suspect, Yahaya Adamu Gimba, 48, when he was arrested at Azare town, Katagun LGA, Bauchi on Tuesday, February 17, while another 85.8kg of same substance was recovered from Yahaya Adamu Gimba; Nasiru Suleman, 36; Abdul Umar, 25; and Musa Suleman, 21, in Azare.
The statement added: “While 37kg skunk was seized from Mgbeme Ejeoma, 34, at Club Street, Ekeredjebor, Ughelli, Delta State, on Tuesday 17th February, NDLEA officers in Edo State same day raided Etiosa camp in Owan West LGA where they destroyed 1,266.8475kg skunk on three farms. No less than 23kg of processed cannabis was equally recovered, with two suspects: a 68-year-old grandmother, Evelyn Ogenewu, and a 43-year-old, Friday Iruoje, apprehended.”
Similarly, the Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places, communities, and other places in the past week.
The activities included WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Muslim Community High School, Ayetoro-Oke, Kajola LGA, Oyo; Government Girls Secondary School, Gadaka, Yobe; Owerri City Secondary School, Owerri, Imo; Government Day Secondary School, Tongo, Gombe; St. Catherine’s College, Igoli, Ogoja, Cross River; Government Senior Girls Secondary School, Kofar Kudu, Kano; and Model Government College, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Reacting to the arrests and seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) commended the officers and men of the various Commands for their professionalism and commitment.
Marwa acknowledged their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
