Video: NDLEA nabs 74-year-old grandpa with 11kg cocaine, busts Lagos drug ops

Abdullateef Fowewe

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja while he attempted to board a British Airways flight to London’s Heathrow Airport on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Video: NDLEA nabs 74-year-old grandpa with 11kg cocaine, busts Lagos drug ops

The UK-bound grandfather, who claimed he was traveling for vacation, had 11 kilograms of cocaine hidden in foil-wrapped balloons inside food items like ground dry pepper in his luggage.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, said, “UK-bound 74-year-old grandpa arrested at Abuja airport with 11kg cocaine in balloons.”

In Lagos, NDLEA raids yielded major hauls. Officers recovered large consignments of opioids during operations at Ebute Ero and Idumota on Lagos Island, and intercepted a shipment of 339,800 bottles of codeine at Apapa port. Babafemi noted, “As NDLEA recovers large consignments of opioids at Ebute Ero, Idumota Lagos Island raids; intercepts 339,800 bottles of codeine shipment in Apapa.”

Another arrest unfolded on March 9 at Ikad Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, where Maryam Olalowo was caught with 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud cannabis—alongside her three children, including an infant.

She implicated her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was arrested the same day after confirming ownership.

Ibrahim had previously served two and a half years in prison for a similar offence in 2015.

NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s commands in NAIA, Lagos, Kano, Edo, and the FCT for their efforts.

He praised nationwide teams “for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.”