NDLEA arrests Ugandan woman with 87 cocaine wraps at Lagos MMIA

AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readThe NDLEA has apprehended a Ugandan woman, Farida Nansubuga, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport for attempting to smuggle 1.15 kilograms of cocaine. The arrest occurred as part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking, which also saw the seizure of significant quantities of Tapentadol and other illicit substances.
Context & Background
- ✦The NDLEA continues to intensify screening operations at Nigerian airports to curb the use of the country as a transit point for international drug trafficking.
- ✦The agency has reported a high volume of recent interceptions involving various concealment methods, ranging from household goods to personal clothing.
Key Figures & Named Entities
•Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, confirmed the arrest and provided details on the suspect's movements.•The agency seized 750,000 tablets of Tapentadol valued at N900 million and intercepted other illicit drugs worth billions of Naira in recent months.
Outlook & Next Steps
The suspect remains in custody for further investigation, while the NDLEA continues its nationwide operations to intercept illicit shipments arriving from India, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- The NDLEA arrested 34-year-old Ugandan national Farida Nansubuga at Lagos MMIA for attempting to smuggle 1.15kg of cocaine.
- The suspect, who entered Nigeria for a religious pilgrimage, stayed behind to collect the illicit consignment for a contact in Uganda.
- The NDLEA simultaneously reported multiple other major drug interceptions, including N900 million worth of Tapentadol and various shipments of cannabis and synthetic drugs.
Key Facts:October 29, 2026: Farida Nansubuga arrived in Nigeria as part of a church delegation.November 3, 2026: The suspect was intercepted by NDLEA and aviation security at Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport.November 6, 2026: A shipment of 750,000 tablets of Tapentadol valued at N900 million was discovered during a joint examination.
Editorial Excerpt
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old Ugandan woman with 87 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.15 kilograms
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
How did the suspect conceal the cocaine during her attempt to leave Nigeria?
The suspect strapped 87 wraps of cocaine around her pelvic region beneath two layers of underwear.
What was the suspect's stated motivation for staying in Nigeria after her church delegation left?
She claimed she stayed behind to collect a cocaine consignment for a friend named Joy who resides in Uganda.