NDLEA arrests Brazil-based businessman with 6.1kg cocaine hidden in shirts, towels
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a Brazil-based businessman, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, for allegedly importing shirts and towels impregnated with 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine into Nigeria from Brazil.
The agency said the 41-year-old suspect was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, upon his arrival from São Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on June 11.
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 14 towels and shirts soaked in liquid cocaine, dried and neatly ironed to conceal the illicit substance.
Babafemi said, “A 41-year-old São Paulo, Brazil-based businessman, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for importing shirts and towels impregnated with 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine from the South American country into Nigeria.
“Abugu was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, upon arrival from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on Thursday, June 11, 2026. A thorough search of his luggage led to the recovery of 14 towels and shirts, all soaked in liquid cocaine, dried and well ironed.”
He said the suspect reportedly told investigators that he had lived in Brazil for over 14 years, where he runs an African restaurant.
“The suspect claims he has lived for over 14 years in Brazil, where he runs an African restaurant. He added that he was in Nigeria to see his wife and buy foodstuff in bulk for his restaurant,” the statement read.
In a related development, the anti-narcotics agency arrested a 60-year-old woman, Chidimma Sunday, and a 28-year-old man, Abubakar Usman, both persons living with disabilities, over alleged involvement in drug trafficking in Abia and Rivers States.
Babafemi said Chidimma was apprehended with 1.8kg of skunk by members of the Umuosu Vigilante Group in Umuna Autonomous Community, Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, and subsequently handed over to NDLEA operatives on June 10.
He added that Usman was arrested in the Rumuokoro area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with assorted illicit drugs, including skunk, methamphetamine, tramadol, swinol and diazepam.
The agency also recorded major seizures across the country, including 304 kilograms of skunk intercepted in Kwara State, 1,121.5 kilograms of cannabis recovered from a warehouse in Taraba State, and 1,102 kilograms of Ghana Loud seized around Alaba International Market in Lagos.
Commending officers involved in the operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised personnel of the MMIA, Abia, Rivers, Kano, Kwara, Delta, Gombe, Lagos and FCT commands for the arrests and seizures.
He noted that their successes in reducing drug supply were being matched with ongoing drug demand reduction and sensitisation activities, urging them to surpass their previous achievements.
