Operatives of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an Ivorian man and a Nigerian medical doctor over allegations connected to cocaine trafficking.

According to the NDLEA, the Ivorian suspect, Gohouri Michael (41), was arrested at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport during passenger clearance on an Ethiopian Airlines flight bound for Milan, Italy, via Addis Ababa.

The agency said Gohouri had allegedly ingested 82 wraps of cocaine, weighing 1.49kg. NDLEA stated that he arrived in Lagos from Milan on January 17, 2026, and spent three weeks shuttling between Lagos and Enugu. He later travelled to Kano, stayed there for a week, and then ingested the cocaine consignment in his hotel room.

NDLEA also claimed that intelligence linked Gohouri to a hidden coordinator who gave him instructions on how to move the cocaine through the airport. Further investigations led to the arrest of a 69-year-old medical doctor, Dr Chudi Ofomata, in Ogun State.

The NDLEA said operatives tracked the doctor to his residence in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, where he was arrested on March 27, 2026. The agency added that he was later flown to Kano on April 7.

At the point of arrest, NDLEA reported recovering 63 grams of promazepam and seven ampoules of promethazine injection from Dr Ofomata.

The NDLEA said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and those collaborating with them.

Other NDLEA operations and seizures

The NDLEA also reported arrests and seizures in other parts of the country, including:

• Lagos: Officers intercepted a luxury bus belonging to Chisco Transport and recovered 15kg of skunk, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
• Abia State: A nonagenarian, Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, was arrested after 7.7kg of skunk was found at his residence.
• Ogun State: NDLEA said three suspects were arrested with 34kg of skunk.
• Imo State: A 26-year-old woman was arrested with 56.2kg of skunk.
• Niger State: A couple, Abdullahi Umar (32) and Adama Umar (25), were arrested after 118kg of skunk was recovered from their home.
• Borno State: Officers intercepted a trailer carrying Rohypnol tablets, codeine syrup, and pentazocine injections, resulting in the arrest of the consignment owner.
• Mushin, Lagos: The NDLEA reported seizing 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup and arresting two individuals.