Woman ‘hiding tramadol in fake pregnancy’ arrested by NDLEA
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a businesswoman accused of attempting to conceal tramadol in a fake pregnancy.
In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the woman, identified as Kano-based Rabi Muhammed, was arrested last Monday.
The statement also detailed the agency’s activities during the week.
According to Babafemi, Muhammed was arrested at the departure tarmac of the Seme border while attempting to cross into Cotonou, Benin Republic.
He said NDLEA officers became suspicious of her protruding stomach, prompting a search.
“Strapped to her abdomen was a pink-coloured calabash ingeniously crafted to simulate a baby bump and conceal 3,200 capsules of tramadol,” the statement reads.
“The opioids were intended for sale in Cotonou before further distribution.”
On the same day in Kano, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 41-year-old Ivorian national identified as Michael Gohouri, also known as Anunwa Onyinye Michael, during outward clearance for Ethiopian Airlines to Milan via Addis Ababa.
“A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit substances,” the statement reads.
“Placed under medical observation, he later excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.”
According to Babafemi, investigations disclosed that Gohouri arrived in Lagos from Milan on January 17, 2026, shuttled between Lagos and Enugu for three weeks, and later traveled to Kano, where he ingested the cocaine in a hotel room.
He reportedly stood to earn €5,000 upon successful delivery of the drugs in Milan.
The suspect, who claims mixed Ivorian and Nigerian heritage, applied for asylum in Italy in 2013 and holds a resident permit valid until May 25.
He also possesses a Nigerian national identification number under the name Anunwa Onyinye Michael.
ARRESTS IN LAGOS, EDO
The statement added that a broader offensive targeted drug trafficking networks across Lagos, Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Delta, and Kogi states.
“Among those apprehended were a 68-year-old grandmother and several other suspects linked to drug distribution rings,” the statement reads.
In Lagos, operatives arrested Kolapo Raji, CEO of Trans Fortress Global Resources, a real estate development firm.
Babafemi noted that Raji has been on NDLEA watchlist since 2025 following credible intelligence.
“The 57-year-old drug kingpin was arrested at his Safe Court Apartment residence in Ikate, Lekki Lagos on Thursday 12th February 2026 after sustained surveillance soon after his return from the United Kingdom,” the statement added.
“A search of his residence led to the recovery of four large bags containing parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis with a total weight of 89.20kg.
“Also recovered from him at the point of his arrest was a 2024 model Toyota Hilux.
“In his statement, he claimed he got involved in the illicit drug trade after financing some consignments for his overseas associate.”
Raji reportedly said hundreds of millions of naira paid to him as profit by his associate motivated him to establish an independent drug distribution channel.
Babafemi reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to dismantle transnational and domestic narcotics syndicates exploiting Nigeria’s borders and airports as transit corridors.
