NDLEA Cracks Down on International Drug Syndicate with Major Arrests
In a significant breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully dismantled an international drug syndicate, leading to the arrest of two key suspects: an Ivorian national and a 69-year-old medical doctor.
Arrest at Kano Airport Unravels Trafficking Network
The agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, detailed the operation in a statement released on Sunday, April 11, 2026. The first arrest occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where 41-year-old Ivorian suspect Gohouri Michael was intercepted during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight bound for Milan, Italy, with a stopover in Addis Ababa.
Upon thorough examination, authorities discovered that Gohouri had ingested a staggering 82 wraps of cocaine, with a total weight of 1.49 kilograms. This discovery prompted an intensive follow-up investigation to uncover the broader network behind the smuggling attempt.
Medical Doctor Apprehended as Suspected Coordinator
Further intelligence gathered by NDLEA operatives pointed to a suspected coordinator operating from within Nigeria. This led to the arrest of Dr. Chudi Ofomata, a 69-year-old medical practitioner, in Ogun State. The doctor was tracked to his residence in the Teachers' Land estate, located in Magboro within the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, where he was taken into custody on March 27, 2026.
According to the NDLEA statement, Dr. Ofomata is believed to be the shadowy figure who provided instructions to Gohouri on how to move the cocaine consignment through the airport security checks. Following his arrest, he was transported to Kano on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, for further interrogation and processing.
Detailed Timeline of the Trafficking Operation
The investigation revealed a meticulous timeline of Gohouri's activities. He had initially arrived in Lagos from Milan, Italy, on January 17, 2026, and spent approximately three weeks shuttling between Lagos and Enugu. Subsequently, he traveled to Kano, where he stayed for one week before ingesting the cocaine in his hotel room.
Gohouri, who also goes by the alias Anunwa Onyinye Michael, was apprehended on Monday, February 16, 2026. He had been promised a payment of 5,000 Euros upon successful delivery of the drugs in Milan, highlighting the financial incentives driving such illicit activities.
Evidence Recovered from the Doctor's Residence
At the point of Dr. Ofomata's arrest, NDLEA operatives recovered incriminating evidence from his residence. This included 63 grams of promazepam, a controlled substance, and 7 ampoules of promethazine injection, further implicating him in drug-related offenses.
The NDLEA emphasized that this operation underscores their relentless efforts to combat drug trafficking and unravel the complex networks that facilitate such crimes. The arrests serve as a stern warning to individuals involved in the illicit drug trade, both locally and internationally.
