Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a businessman, Olisaka Chibuzo Calistus, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State.
The suspect, identified as an importer and exporter, was apprehended on Sunday, December 15, in possession of 256 wraps of cocaine weighing 6 kilograms.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
“The seizure, which is the single largest interception of cocaine at the Kano airport since the establishment of the NDLEA’s MAKIA Command in 2006, occurred on Sunday, December 15, 2024, during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” the statement read.
“Olisaka, who claims to be involved in import and export business, was subjected to a body screening during which hundreds of cocaine pellets were discovered concealed on his person.”
Mr Babafemi further revealed that the agency had also foiled a similar attempt by an ex-convict, Olanrewaju Bada Akorede, to export a consignment of Rohypnol to South Africa through the export shed of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
The consignment was reportedly hidden in a cargo containing gari, shoes, men’s singlets, and other items.
According to the statement, Olanrewaju had been convicted for a similar offence earlier this year following his arrest on December 12, 2023, when he attempted to ship 4.90 kilograms of tramadol and 2.10 kilograms of Rohypnol to South Africa through the Lagos airport.
“He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos, with an option of a fine of N900,000, which he paid before being released, only to re-engage in the same crime.”
The statement also reported the arrest of an Italy-based businesswoman, Cynthia Akaeen, by NDLEA officers on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. She was intercepted at the departure terminal of Lagos airport while attempting to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Italy via Addis Ababa.
“A total of 9,190 tablets of various tramadol brands weighing 6 kilograms were recovered from her. She confessed that she was promised €1,000 upon successfully delivering the consignment in Italy,” Mr Babafemi added.