Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
LAGOS, Nigeria — Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 37-year-old ex-convict, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, along with three cargo agents, in connection with an attempt to smuggle cocaine concealed inside sachets of cold-water starch destined for the United Kingdom. The arrests and seizure mark the latest in a series of successful interdictions by Nigerian authorities against international drug trafficking networks.
According to a statement issued by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the operation began when officers intercepted 75 parcels of cocaine weighing approximately 1.50 kilograms at the export shed of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The illicit consignments had been carefully hidden inside factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch, a tactic used by traffickers to evade detection by authorities during routine cargo examinations.
Three airport cargo agents — Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun and Igwe Chioma Jane — were apprehended at the scene as part of the initial crackdown, with investigators uncovering the syndicate’s attempt to have the cocaine shipped overseas. Follow-up operations led to the arrest of Basil on Sunday, December 21, at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja, where he was detained while reportedly on a date with his girlfriend.
The agency’s records indicate that Basil is a notorious repeat offender. In May 2023, he was previously arrested and later convicted for trafficking 30.10 kilograms of methamphetamine that had been concealed in powdered custard containers and shipped in consolidated cargo also headed to London. He was sentenced by a Federal High Court to five years’ imprisonment with an option of a ₦7 million fine and community service, a penalty he paid before reportedly returning to drug trafficking.
NDLEA has handed the suspects over to relevant prosecutorial authorities, and they are expected to face charges related to drug trafficking and exportation. The agency said investigations are ongoing to determine whether others were involved in the smuggling ring, both within Nigeria and abroad.
The seizures and arrests underscore persistent challenges in combating transnational narcotics smuggling, as traffickers increasingly explore innovative concealment methods and exploit cargo channels at major airports. Nigerian authorities have repeatedly stressed the importance of intelligence-led enforcement and international cooperation in disrupting such criminal networks.
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