NDLEA operatives intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine hidden in tins of palm kernel extract at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday 11th March 2026. The shipment was destined for the United Kingdom. Two suspects, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were arrested at the export shed. A follow-up sting operation on Thursday 2nd April led to the arrest of the sender, Ezemuwo Joel, who used the alias Ajayi. His capture exposed the syndicate's kingpin, 52-year-old King Arinze, apprehended in Isolo, Lagos. At his warehouse on Ola Ifa Street, Bucknor, Isolo, officers recovered 886 tins of palm kernel extract prepared for drug concealment, a sealing machine, tin openers, paint sprays, 52 grams of cannabis sativa, and gloves. Arinze admitted to draining the oil from the tins to hide the cocaine.
In Borno State, 28-year-old Aisha Adamu was arrested on Gamboru Ngala road with 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain, allegedly supplying bandit groups. In Lagos, Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, 45, of the Celestial Church of Christ, and his wife, Success Hodonu, 35, were arrested at Gbaji checkpoint with 11 kilograms of skunk hidden in their Honda Pilot SUV. Their arrest followed that of Sunday Samuel, 35, who was caught with 24.5 kilograms of skunk. In Adamawa, a trailer carrying 48,000 tramadol pills was intercepted; driver Abdulaziz Korede and recipient Idris Adamu were arrested. In Osun, 60-year-old Idiatu Oladejo was found with 15 kilograms of skunk. In Ondo, 351 kilograms of skunk and seeds were recovered from Itaogbolu forest. In Benue, 66-year-old Aminu Usman Gembu was arrested with 28,600 tramadol capsules. Roland Owie, 37, was also arrested in Edo State.
King Arinze's method of hiding cocaine in palm kernel oil tins reveals the increasing sophistication of drug traffickers exploiting legitimate trade channels. This level of concealment suggests existing export screening protocols may be insufficient against evolving smuggling tactics. For Nigerian port and customs officials, the case underscores a pressing need to upgrade detection capabilities beyond routine checks. Without stronger oversight, legal commodity flows could continue being weaponized for international drug distribution.
