Newlywed businessman ‘expels 72 cocaine wraps’ at Nigerian airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Nigeria (NDLEA) has arrested a 25-year-old businessman, Lovely Chukwulobelu, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 72 wraps of cocaine into Portugal.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA director of media and advocacy, disclosed this in a statement on September 27, 2026, according to a report by The Cable.

It noted that Chukwulobelu was arrested on September 25, 2026 at the departure hall of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Portugal via Addis Ababa.

He said the suspect had ingested the cocaine and was placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 72 wraps of the drug.

Babafemi said Chukwulobelu, who resides in Portugal, had recently returned to Nigeria and got married on September 13, 2026.

The suspect previously operated a car decoration business at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos, before relocating to Portugal in May 2023.

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According to the NDLEA, Chukwulobelu reportedly told investigators that he ventured into drug trafficking to offset expenses incurred during his wedding.

The agency also reported several other drug-related arrests and seizures across the country.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives seized 2.55 million pills of tramadol and tapentadol during an operation at the airport's import shed on September 22.

Babafemi said the seizure followed the joint examination of three monitored consignments imported from India and Bangladesh through Qatar Airways, RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines.

The drugs, comprising Tramaking 225mg, Tramaking 250mg and Royal Tapentadol 250mg, had a combined gross weight of 1,640.55kg.

JKB/EB

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