Innocent traveller cleared after NDLEA probe

What began as a routine trip for Mrs. Gloria Peter from Nnewi, Anambra State, to Abuja nearly ended in a wrongful implication after a package of suspected methamphetamine was allegedly planted in her luggage.

NDLEA operatives intercepted a Sienna bus travelling from Nnewi at Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday, June 20, 2026. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered a waybill package containing substances suspected to be methamphetamine concealed inside a black nylon bag, which was itself hidden in a sack of clothes bearing the phone number of the supposed receiver.

Operatives then arrested Mrs. Peter at Utako Motor Park, where she denied ownership or knowledge of the illicit package. Her repeated denial prompted investigators to continue probing the case rather than drawing immediate conclusions.

The deeper investigation would later uncover what the agency described as a criminal tactic designed to use an unsuspecting traveller as cover for an illicit shipment.

How the alleged plot was uncovered

Further investigations led to the arrest of loaders attached to the transport company in Nnewi. According to the agency, one of the loaders confessed to secretly planting the drug package inside Mrs. Peter's luggage on the instruction of the bus driver, Abdurrazak Isah.

Further investigations led to the arrest of loaders attached to the transport company in Nnewi. One of them reportedly confessed that he had secretly planted the drug package inside the woman's luggage on the instruction of the bus driver, Abdurrazak Isah.

— Source material

Confronted with the development, the driver allegedly identified one of the passengers, Onyebuchi Victor Okoye, as the owner of the consignment.

A follow-up operation in Abuja led to Okoye's arrest. NDLEA said the methamphetamine recovered in the case weighed 467.7 grammes.

Wider NDLEA operations across the country

The Abuja-linked breakthrough formed part of a broader string of operations recorded by the agency during the week. In Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 40-foot container carrying 4,959 kilograms of Canadian Loud at the Apapa Port, with the agency estimating its street value at N12.397 billion.

According to NDLEA, the consignment was tracked for more than four weeks from Toronto, Canada, on April 25 through Montreal and Morocco before arriving in Lagos.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, officers arrested 38-year-old businesswoman Iwebema Ogechi Peace while she was attempting to board a flight to Beijing, China. The agency said four parcels of cocaine weighing 7.5 kilograms were discovered in a professionally fabricated false bottom of her luggage.

In another operation, a 57-year-old suspect, Ikechukwu Uwakwe, was arrested at Iddo Motor Park in Lagos with 209.5 kilograms of Scottish Loud allegedly bound for Enugu.

More seizures and enforcement actions

NDLEA also said it intercepted a truck on Mile 2 Bridge conveying 558,900 pills of Tramadol hidden in a fabricated compartment. Three suspects were arrested, including two nationals of the Benin Republic and a Nigerian.

Other operations led to the arrest of suspects transporting 118 kilograms of skunk along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. In Amukoko, Lagos, two women were also apprehended with 28.8 kilograms of the substance.

Beyond enforcement actions, the agency said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, campaign with sensitisation programmes in schools and communities across Yobe, Lagos, Kano, Kogi and Enugu states.

NDLEA leadership commends operatives

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations. He praised the Apapa, MMIA, Special Operations Unit, FCT, Anambra and Lagos Commands for combining drug supply reduction efforts with public enlightenment.

He also urged officers across the country not to relent in the campaign against illicit drug trafficking and abuse.

The case involving Mrs. Peter has drawn renewed attention to the risks faced by travellers using commercial transport services, especially in motor parks where criminal syndicates may exploit unsuspecting passengers.