NDLEA Arrests Businessman with 81 Cocaine Pellets Hidden in His Stomach
In a shocking drug trafficking case, Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe, a 59-year-old businessman, underwent emergency surgery after ingesting 81 wraps of cocaine in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, after arriving on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
How He Was Caught
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted Igbokwe during passenger clearance on January 25, 2025. A body scan revealed the presence of illicit drugs in his system, prompting immediate action.
According to NDLEA Director of Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Igbokwe confessed to being a cloth dealer in Lagos.
Investigations revealed he had departed Nigeria on January 22, ingested the 81 pellets of cocaine on January 23, and attempted to smuggle them into Beirut, Lebanon, for a $3,000 fee.
Failed Drug Smuggling Attempt
Upon arrival in Beirut, Lebanese authorities denied him entry due to insufficient funds, leading to his deportation to Ethiopia.
There, he struggled to excrete the drugs and ultimately boarded a flight to Lagos, where he was arrested.
Medical Emergency and Surgery
After five days in NDLEA custody, Igbokwe only excreted 24 pellets despite medical intervention. With time running out and life-threatening complications, doctors at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) performed an exploratory laparotomy on January 30.
His wife and brother signed the consent forms for the surgery, which successfully extracted 57 remaining pellets.
Total Drug Seizure and Other Arrests
NDLEA confirmed that the 81 cocaine wraps weighed 1.943 kilograms.
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers intercepted 2,000kg of Ghanaian Loud cannabis at Lekki Beach, arresting two suspects, Sunday Awoyede and Christopher Cletus.
Another suspect, Lawal Idris Olasunkanmi, was arrested in Mushin, Lagos, with 55kg of cannabis.
NDLEA’s Stand Against Drug Trafficking
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended officers for their vigilance and warned drug traffickers of severe consequences.
He also praised efforts in drug awareness campaigns across schools, workplaces, and communities.
Final Thoughts
This case underscores the dangers of drug trafficking and the life-threatening risks smugglers take.
With NDLEA tightening security, traffickers face greater chances of getting caught and severe legal consequences.
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