The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a cocaine smuggling attempt by 26-year-old Esther Onyinyechi Uzodinma, a nursing student at Noida International University, India.
Esther was arrested in Kano on January 16, 2025, just before her scheduled flight to India the following day. She was set to carry 76 wraps of cocaine, aiming to smuggle them into the country.
NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in a statement, revealed that the arrest followed the capture of 31-year-old Cosmas Okorie, who was apprehended on the Okene-Lokoja highway while transporting the drugs from Lagos to Kano.
Okorie’s arrest led investigators to uncover Esther’s role in the plot, as she was waiting to ingest the drugs before boarding her Qatar Airways flight.
It was later discovered that a drug cartel in India had recruited Esther, promising her $5,000 for delivering the drugs, Babafemi disclosed.
In other operations, the NDLEA seized significant quantities of illicit substances across Nigeria. In Lagos, authorities recovered 28kg of Canadian Loud and 67kg of skunk, while various amounts of tramadol and methamphetamine were found in Kano, Kwara, and Taraba. These drugs were hidden in items like clothing, vehicles, and audio speakers, showcasing the diverse methods traffickers use to conceal their contraband.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, which includes nationwide sensitization programs aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. These efforts targeted schools, religious centers, and communities, and advocacy visits were made to engage state governments and organizations on the issue.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) praised the agency’s officers for their vigilance in combating drug trafficking and abuse, urging them to remain steadfast in their mission to protect the nation from the dangers of illicit drugs.
