…mastermind returned to drug trafficking months after paying N7m fine
…as Agency raids Edo, Ekiti, others, seizes tons of opioids, cannabis
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a drug trafficking ploy at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, intercepting a consignment of cocaine concealed inside factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch.
The interception, which occurred at the airport’s export shed, led to the arrest of a notorious drug trafficker and ex-convict, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, who orchestrated the failed attempt to export the illicit drug to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, the operation yielded the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms.
The Agency revealed that the syndicate attempted to bypass security checks by hiding the cocaine within sachets of liquid starch, a common household item. However, vigilant officers at the export shed detected the anomaly.
Following the discovery, three cargo agents identified as Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane were swiftly arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025, for their involvement in the export process.
Their confession and subsequent investigation pointed to Nwobodo as the mastermind.
In a swift follow-up operation on Sunday, December 21, NDLEA operatives tracked Nwobodo to a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja, where he was arrested while on a date with his girlfriend.
Investigations revealed that Nwobodo is a habitual offender. The NDLEA criminal database showed that he had been arrested previously in May 2023 for attempting to export 30.10kg of methamphetamine to London, concealed in powdered custard containers.
He was arraigned at a Federal High Court (Charge No: FHC/L/337C/2023) and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a N7 million fine, effective December 4, 2023.
Nwobodo reportedly paid the fine and immediately returned to the illicit drug trade, leading to his latest arrest.
While the starch interception was the highlight of the week, the NDLEA also recorded massive seizures across other states.
In Lagos, a wanted businessman, Ignatius Egbochie (alias Brown), was arrested in Apapa on December 19 in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of ‘Loud’ (a synthetic strain of cannabis) weighing 26kg at the Tincan seaport.
In Ekiti State, operatives raided a forest in Ara-Ekiti on Monday, December 22, destroying tons of skunk and recovering 638kg of the psychoactive substance.
Similarly, in Edo State, 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 883.1kg were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles along the Igara-Auchi road.
In Gombe State, a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, was intercepted along the Gombe-Biu highway with 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 27,900 pills of tramadol.
Other arrests were recorded in Cross River, Taraba, and the FCT, where suspects were nabbed with varying quantities of skunk during the Christmas holidays.
Reacting to the developments, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers of the MMIA and other commands for their vigilance.
He urged them to maintain the highest professional standards and remain extra vigilant throughout the festive season and beyond.