Kano, Nigeria – February 8, 2026 – In a dramatic interception, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 62-year-old Lagos-based businessman, Nwabueze Nicholas Izueke, for attempting to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine to China by ingesting it.
The suspect was apprehended on Saturday, January 31, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. He was booked on an Ethiopian Airlines flight, ET940, destined for China via Addis Ababa when NDLEA officers, acting on intelligence and profiling, flagged him for a thorough search.
Details of the Arrest and Seizure
Upon suspicion, Izueke was taken into custody, where it was discovered he had ingested multiple wraps of a suspected illicit substance. According to the NDLEA, the suspect excreted a total of 95 pellets of cocaine while under observation. The illicit drug, which tested positive for cocaine, weighed approximately 1.413 kilograms.
Suspect’s Profile and Official Statement
Investigations reveal that Izueke, a trader, hails from the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State but resides in Lagos. The NDLEA reported that the suspect had confessed to the crime, admitting he was recruited for the illicit operation.
In a statement, NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest and highlighted the agency’s vigilance. “The suspect was arrested during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight… He has since made a statement, admitting to swallowing the drugs for a fee,” Babafemi said. The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
 bound for China. Details on the interception and suspect's confession.){kind=link}