The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said its operatives have arrested a 41-year-old businessman based in São Paulo, Brazil, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, for allegedly importing 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine concealed in shirts and towels into Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspect was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, upon his arrival from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on June 11, 2026.
Babafemi said a thorough search of the suspect’s luggage led to the discovery of 14 towels and shirts impregnated with liquid cocaine, which had been dried and carefully ironed to avoid detection.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had lived in Brazil for more than 14 years, where he operates an African restaurant. He said he travelled to Nigeria to visit his wife and purchase food items for his business.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives 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 illicit drug trafficking.
Chidimma was apprehended by members of the Umuosu Vigilante Group in Umuna Autonomous Community, Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, with 1.8 kilograms of skunk and was subsequently handed over to NDLEA on June 10.
Usman was arrested during a raid at Rumuokoro in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on June 9. NDLEA operatives recovered 400 grams of skunk, five grams of methamphetamine, 100 grams of tramadol,
