The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a Saudi Arabia-bound consignment of cannabis sativa concealed in a gallon of palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Babafemi said officers of the Agency intercepted a female passenger, Fatimah Ahmad, on Friday, October 16, during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Addis Ababa.
According to him, a gallon of palm oil in her luggage was found to contain parcels of cannabis weighing 511.75 grams.
“Fatimah told operatives the gallon was given to her by her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, who was promptly arrested at the airport car park,” Babafemi said.
In an earlier post announcing the interception on Facebook, Babafemi warned Nigerians against accepting parcels or luggage from anyone to deliver to another person.
In the post titled ‘Public Alert’, Babafemi wrote: “We’ll never be tired of repeating this warning: Never accept any parcel or luggage from anyone or on behalf of anyone no matter how close you’re!”
“The keg of palm oil in this video was given to a lady going to Saudi Arabia to help deliver to someone else there. When NDLEA officers intercepted her at the airport, it turned out the keg of oil was used to conceal illicit drug.”
He warned of the severe consequences had the drug been discovered in Saudi Arabia, which has capital punishment for drug trafficking.
“She’ll have been counting her days on earth by now if this was discovered in Saudi. Please share and spread the message, warn your friends and family members about this. Choose to offend the person than go to jail. BE WISE!”
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended officers of the MAKIA and other Commands for their professionalism and intelligence-driven approach, urging them to sustain the onslaught against drug trafficking networks.