Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a Lagos-based businessman attempting to smuggle cocaine out of the country.

While there have been several similar arrests recently, here are the details of the most prominent case involving a Lagos businessman and ingested cocaine pellets:

The Arrest​The Suspect: The individual was identified as a 52-year-old businessman who operates boutiques in both Lagos and Onitsha. ​The Discovery: He was intercepted upon his arrival at the Kano airport. A body scan performed by NDLEA officers revealed that he had concealed illicit substances both in his underwear and within his body. ​The Quantity: The suspect eventually excreted a total of 127 wraps (pellets) of cocaine, weighing approximately 1.388 kilograms. ​Note: If you are referring to a specific “95 pellets” case, it’s likely a variation of these high-volume “swallower” arrests that occur frequently at MAKIA as the NDLEA ramps up its “WADA” (War Against Drug Abuse) campaign.

Modus Operandi​Drug traffickers often use Kano as an alternative transit point to evade the heavy security at Lagos (MMIA) and Abuja (NAIA) airports. In this case, the suspect had traveled from Bangkok, Thailand, via Ethiopian Airlines. ​## Other Recent Kano Airport Busts​The NDLEA has been particularly active at the Kano airport lately:​The “Pilgrim” Syndicate: In late 2025, the agency dismantled a syndicate that planted drugs in the luggage of innocent Hajj pilgrims. ​Angolan Connection: A 42-year-old Angolan businessman was also recently caught at MAKIA after excreting 120 pellets of cocaine. ​Legal Context: Under the NDLEA Act, drug trafficking carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment. The agency, led by Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy, significantly increasing the frequency of arrests and seizures.