The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, Mrs Mary Barek, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in fake plantain peels through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The agency said the suspect, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the airport on Sunday, June 28, while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, a thorough search of the suspect’s luggage led to the discovery of 31 large wraps of cocaine disguised as hands of plantain and packed alongside other food items.

Babafemi said, “A thorough search of her bags resulted in the discovery of 31 big wraps of cocaine which were packaged to appear like plantain hands, weighing a total of 13 kilograms. In her statement, the elderly woman admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine exhibits.”

He also announced the arrest of a 45-year-old PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, over an attempt to export cocaine concealed inside cartons of Orijin Bitters bound for Kuala Lumpur.

Babafemi said Onyeka was arrested in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State on June 29 after investigators traced him as the alleged leader of a drug trafficking syndicate.

He disclosed that operatives had earlier intercepted 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms hidden within the walls of nine cartons of the herbal drink that formed part of a consolidated cargo destined for Malaysia.

According to him, four suspects were initially arrested in Lagos during investigations, including the cargo agent, Alalade Taiwo Azeez; the driver who conveyed the consignment, Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi; a trader at ASPANDA Market, Trade Fair Complex, Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie; and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who allegedly supplied the cartons used to conceal the drugs.

Babafemi said, “The efforts eventually paid off, leading to the unmasking of Nwabueze hiding in his village Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State as the leader of the syndicate.”

In Taraba State, the NDLEA said its operatives arrested a 30-year-old suspect, Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area on Saturday, July 4.

The agency said 43,980 capsules of Tramadol were recovered from two vehicle fuel tanks specially modified to conceal the drugs.

Similarly, NDLEA operatives arrested Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, during a raid in Gwantu Local Government Area of Kaduna State on July 2, where they allegedly recovered 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.

In Ebonyi State, a 65-year-old suspect, Francis Ifara Eja, was arrested with 231.7 kilograms of skunk at Ikwo on July 4, while a 75-year-old suspect, Alhaji Babani, was apprehended with 15 kilograms of skunk at Kurgwi in Qua’anpan Local Government Area of Plateau State on July 3.

The agency also reported that two suspects, Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, were arrested in Gombe State on July 1 with 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms at Kuri village in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area.

Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said its commands nationwide sustained the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities.

According to Babafemi, the awareness activities were conducted at Girls Secondary School, Abagana, Anambra State; Government Technical College, Obe, Enugu State; Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State; and the FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga, Kano State, among other locations.

Commending officers involved in the recent operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the commands for combining enforcement with public enlightenment.

Babafemi quoted Marwa as saying he “commended the officers and men of MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau, and Gombe Commands for the arrests and seizures,” noting that “their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitisation activities,” while charging them and other officers across the country to continue to raise the operational bar.”

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered 43,980 capsules of tramadol concealed inside two large vehicle fuel tanks in what it described as another sophisticated drug trafficking attempt.

According to a statement released by the agency’s Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, which was shared on X on Sunday, the suspect allegedly travelled to Onitsha, Anambra State, to purchase the fuel tanks not for use in a vehicle or resale, but specifically to conceal and transport illicit drugs.

According to Babafemi, the suspect successfully moved the concealed consignment through several security checkpoints from Anambra State before he was eventually arrested by operatives in the Wukari area of Taraba State.

The statement said, “So a merchant of death travelled to Onitsha, Anambra State to buy the two big vehicle fuel tanks in this video not to sell or use in his vehicle but solely for the purpose of concealing illicit drugs.

“With 43,980 capsules of tramadol neatly stuffed in the fuel tanks he was able to beat security checks all the way from Anambra up to Wukari area of Taraba State where he was eventually arrested by #ndlea_nigeria officers who uncovered his lid.

“This video reveals that moment his lid was blown off and his drug trafficking enterprise brought to an abrupt end. Take a look.”

Watch the video below:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐀 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝟒𝟑,𝟗𝟖𝟎 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

Credit: X | FemiBabafemi
—
Follow us for more breaking news and videos pic.twitter.com/DUguH5Z1vD

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) July 5, 2026

Source: punchng.com

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Bandits have k!lled the Village Head of Kulodo in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Abubakar Tudu, his eldest son, Abubakar Abubakar, and four other residents in a fresh attack on the community.

The assailants also k!lled another resident in neighbouring Kwance village during the attack.

The attack occurred while residents were observing the Asr prayer on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The victims were buried amid tears on Saturday, July 4.

A security source told Daily Trust that the bandits stormed Kulodo and Kwance villages in large numbers on motorcycles, opening fire indiscriminately.

According to the source, those k!lled in Kulodo included the village head, his eldest son, Rufa’i Bala, Muhammad Sanusi and Aliyu Dan-Uti, while Yellow Dikko was k!lled in Kwance village.

“The bandits invaded the communities in large numbers and immediately began shooting,” the source said.

“They k!lled the village head, his eldest son and four other residents before moving to the neighbouring village, where they also k!lled another person.”

The source added that the attackers rustled a large number of livestock but did not abduct any residents.

“They were mainly after animals. They forced local herders to drive the stolen cattle while they escorted them on motorcycles.

“The herders later told us the livestock were taken to a forest in Zamfara State before they were released to return home,” the source said.

He further disclosed that the attack has forced women and children to flee both communities. ChildCare

“We have just returned from the villages after accompanying some state government officials and lawmakers on a condolence visit.

“The situation is devastating. Virtually all the women and children have fled, leaving behind only a few men,” he added.

The bodies were recovered and taken for burial after security personnel and senior government officials arrived in the affected communities.

A Nigeria Red Cross official, Ahmad Suleiman, who participated in the recovery of the bodies, preparation for burial and funeral arrangements in accordance with Islamic rites, confirmed to Daily Trust that volunteers worked alongside security agencies and community members throughout the exercise.

A resident described the late village head as a respected community leader who dedicated his life to serving the people, adding that his eldest son was equally known for supporting members of the community.

Another elderly resident said the attackers looted cash, mobile phones and other valuables from several households.

He alleged that one resident, identified as Alhaji Shehu, lost more than N1 million in cash and over 40 cattle during the attack.

“They went from house to house and from room to room, taking away anything of value. They spared almost nothing,” he said.

The resident commended the visit by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Sokoto State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa; the member representing Bodinga, Dange Shuni and Tureta Federal Constituency, Nasiru Shehu Bobo; the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga; the chairman of Bodinga Local Government Area; the Commissioner of Police, represented by the Area Commander of the Bodinga Area Command; military personnel, DSS operatives and other officials who supervised the evacuation of the bodies and ensured that the victims received proper Islamic burial rites.

The latest attack came barely 24 hours after bandits reportedly k!lled the Chief Imam of Talluje village and two other residents in another attack in Bodinga Local Government Area, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in the area.

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