The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a series of significant arrests in its fight against drug trafficking, including a former international footballer and several other smugglers, at international airports and borders.
Segun George Hunkarin, a former international footballer, and his business partner, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, were arrested for attempting to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Chinedu was apprehended on June 24, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos after 800 grams of cocaine, concealed in 37 wraps, were discovered in his luggage upon his arrival from Turkey.
Further investigation revealed that Hunkarin was waiting at the airport’s car park to collect the consignment.
The ex-footballer, who had played for clubs in Brazil for years, was promptly arrested.
In his statement, Hunkarin admitted to trafficking drugs from Brazil to Ethiopia twice but denied ever bringing drugs into Nigeria.
In a separate operation on June 27, NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport arrested Amen Okoro Godstime, a Europe-based businessman, who was attempting to smuggle 5,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg disguised as malaria medication to Spain. Okoro, who works in freight and logistics, reportedly planned to transport the drugs to France and then Italy for sale.
At Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu, NDLEA operatives intercepted two individuals:
- Ezenwaka Chibuzor Emmanuel, a 38-year-old bar attendant based in Maputo, Mozambique, was arrested on June 27 with 17.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.05 kilograms of cocaine concealed in his luggage. He had arrived from Johannesburg via Addis Ababa.
- Azu Follygan Kpodar, a 54-year-old toy vendor, was allegedly caught with 1.25 kilograms of liquid cocaine disguised as liquid soap. Kpodar, who arrived from Brazil, claimed he bought the substance while shopping for his wedding.
Additionally, at the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Vode Jean-Luck, a 26-year-old Beninese national, on June 24 for attempting to smuggle 29.5 kilograms of skunk cannabis into Nigeria
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