The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old Ugandan woman, Farida Nansubuga, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.15 kilogrammes of cocaine out of Nigeria after travelling to Lagos with members of her church for a religious programme.
The arrest formed part of a series of nationwide operations in which the agency intercepted 750,000 tablets of Tapentadol valued at approximately ₦900 million, uncovered international drug trafficking networks, seized chemicals allegedly intended for the production of synthetic cannabis and recovered large quantities of illicit drugs across several states.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, Nansubuga was arrested on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while preparing to board a flight to Uganda.
NDLEA operatives discovered 87 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.150 kilogrammes concealed around her pelvic region beneath two layers of underwear.
Babafemi disclosed that the suspect arrived in Nigeria on October 29 with members of her church to participate in a prayer programme at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.
While other members of the delegation returned to Uganda after the religious engagement, Nansubuga allegedly remained in Nigeria to collect a drug consignment arranged by an associate identified as Joy, who resides in Uganda.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Joy allegedly linked her to a Nigerian contact who arranged transportation to a hotel on the morning of her scheduled departure.
At the hotel, a man allegedly handed Nansubuga the cocaine and instructed her to conceal it beneath her clothing to avoid detection at the airport.
The suspect was said to have expected at least $1,000 after successfully delivering the drugs in Uganda, although no definite payment arrangement had been concluded.
Her arrest followed a joint passenger-screening operation involving NDLEA operatives and aviation security personnel at Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport.
A preliminary body search raised suspicion, prompting security personnel to take her to a designated private search room, where the 87 wraps of cocaine were recovered.
In another operation at the airport, NDLEA operatives intercepted 750,000 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg, weighing 526 kilogrammes and valued at approximately ₦900 million, in a consignment imported from India.
The shipment, which arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Ahmedabad on November 3, was falsely declared as Paracetamol 500mg.
The drugs were packed in 11 cartons concealed within two wooden structures.
Following suspicions about the consignment’s declaration, NDLEA operatives placed it under surveillance until November 6, when a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies exposed the concealment.
The examination revealed that 10 of the 11 cartons contained Tapentadol tablets, while the remaining carton contained paracetamol tablets allegedly used to disguise the illicit shipment.
The agency also intercepted 32 parcels of Loud, a potent cannabis strain, weighing 16.15 kilogrammes and concealed inside two wooden sofas shipped in consolidated cargo from Houston, Texas, United States.
The consignment was intercepted on November 4, leading to the arrest of a freight agent, Ibrahim Abdulwaheed Adewale, who presented himself to clear the shipment.
A follow-up operation on November 6 resulted in the arrest of a 34-year-old Ibadan-based caterer, Adeoye Sarafa Ojo, who allegedly arrived to collect the package.
Ojo reportedly told investigators that he was acting on the instructions of a friend identified as Taiwo Anuoluwapo Olusegun.
In a related international operation, the NDLEA uncovered an alleged syndicate importing chemicals used in the manufacture of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis substance, from the United Kingdom.
The investigation followed the interception of nine parcels of illicit substances on October 23, concealed in two cartons of snacks bearing the label “Michael Tea Guy.”
The consignment arrived aboard an Air Peace flight from the United Kingdom.
Two parcels contained 1.2 kilogrammes of cannabis, while forensic examination established that the remaining seven contained chemicals used in the production of synthetic cannabis.
A 51-year-old freight agent, Afolabi Wale, was arrested while attempting to clear the consignment.
Further investigations led operatives to two additional cartons shipped to the same recipient aboard an Allied Air flight.
A sting operation conducted between October 26 and 28 resulted in the arrest of another 51-year-old suspect, Okwuite Benjamin Ojone, when he arrived to take delivery.
A search of the additional cartons uncovered three parcels weighing 3.30 kilogrammes concealed in detergent packs and 11 plastic bottles containing mainly liquid substances weighing 16.25 kilogrammes.
The agency said the operation resulted in the recovery of 1.20 kilogrammes of cannabis and 28.65 kilogrammes of chemicals suspected to be intended for synthetic cannabis production.
Beyond the airport operations, NDLEA operatives intercepted several illicit drug consignments intended for export through courier companies.
In Lagos, officers intercepted 46 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.2 kilogrammes on November 3. The drugs were packed in two cartons and destined for the United Kingdom.
Earlier, on October 30, the agency intercepted 296 tablets of Swinol destined for Australia and three separate shipments of tramadol intended for the United Kingdom.
The tramadol consignments included 20 capsules from Benin City and 96 capsules from Sapele, Delta State, concealed in vitamin C containers, as well as 600 tablets of Tramadol 225mg from Asaba, hidden inside female headwear.
The agency also recorded several arrests and seizures involving domestic drug distribution networks.
In Lagos, a 32-year-old suspect, Abubakar Ali, was arrested on November 6 at Marine Beach, Apapa, after NDLEA operatives discovered a drug storage facility constructed inside the sitting room of his apartment.
Items recovered included 1.06 kilogrammes of Tramadol 250mg, 1.27 kilogrammes of Tramadol 225mg, 400 grammes of pregabalin capsules, 355 grammes of diazepam, 200 millilitres of codeine and 6.07 kilogrammes of cannabis.
In Ondo State, operatives raided Odofin Road, Uso, on November 6 and recovered 148 bags of cannabis weighing 1,818 kilogrammes.
On the same day, officers raided a cannabis plantation in Board Forest, where they destroyed one hectare of the farm, recovered 242 kilogrammes of cannabis and arrested a 36-year-old suspect, Itoro Linus Akpan.
In Ekiti State, a 53-year-old man, Agbo Paul Peter, was arrested at Osin Forest, Osin-Ekiti, on November 5 with 216 kilogrammes of cannabis and cannabis seeds.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Golf saloon car carrying 19 bags of cannabis weighing 201 kilogrammes along the Auchi-Ibillo Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The driver, Abdulmumid Isah, 39, and a passenger, Danako Godwin, 25, were arrested.
Three other suspects were apprehended during a raid on a drug joint along Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City, where quantities of Colorado, Loud and cannabis were recovered.
In Taraba State, three suspects were arrested within two days at the NDLEA checkpoint in Lankaviri, Yorro Local Government Area, with a combined 283 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 226.255 kilogrammes.
The suspects were identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, 45, who was found with 156 blocks weighing 149.275 kilogrammes; Kabiru Usman, 25, with 80 blocks weighing 40.07 kilogrammes; and Babangida Babayo, 32, with 47 blocks weighing 36.91 kilogrammes.
In Enugu State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 57-year-old man, Celestine Ejiakor, at the Eke Obinagu checkpoint on November 3 with 44 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.5 kilogrammes.
Another operation at the Ugwuoba checkpoint led to the arrest of Godwin Shaapera, 40, with 24,000 capsules of tramadol weighing 13.4 kilogrammes and 697 grammes of ketamine.
In Delta State, officers arrested Edugua Othuke, 30, at Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, on October 31.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 10.54 kilogrammes of skunk, 9.4 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds and 4.3 grammes of methamphetamine.
Another suspect, Akpofure Tobore, 34, was arrested on November 4 at Upper Agbarho, Ughelli, with quantities of skunk, tramadol, Rohypnol and laughing gas.
Alongside the enforcement operations, the agency said its commands continued public enlightenment activities under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, targeting schools, religious institutions, workplaces and communities.
Reacting to the arrests and seizures, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the agency’s commands in Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Taraba and Enugu for their efforts.
Marwa described the arrest of the Ugandan woman as a disturbing example of how drug trafficking networks exploit religious gatherings and international travel to recruit unsuspecting or financially vulnerable individuals as couriers.
He urged NDLEA personnel nationwide to sustain pressure on drug trafficking networks through intensified enforcement operations and sustained public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing the supply and consumption of illicit substances.
Post Title: “Ugandan Woman Caught With 87 Wraps Of Cocaine After Church Visit” — NDLEA Intercepts ₦900m Opioids, Busts International Drug Syndicates By Naijaonpoint.