Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 30-year-old Brazilian national, Ms. Ingrid Rosa Benevides, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, with 30.09 kilograms of heroin concealed in factory-sealed coffee packs, in a seizure valued at over ₦3 billion
A statement by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi disclosed that the suspect, a private security officer in Brazil, was apprehended on Friday, January 23, 2026, upon her arrival on a Qatar Airways flight QR1431, following what the agency described as “processed intelligence.”
A search of her two checked-in bags revealed 21 factory-sealed packets of Brazilian coffee, which were later discovered to contain white substances that tested positive for heroin.
The NDLEA confirmed that the consignment, weighing 30.09kg, represents the single largest heroin seizure ever recorded at the Abuja airport.
During her preliminary interrogation, Benevides claimed she smuggled the drugs under the pretext of travelling to Nigeria for a holiday.
Multiple Interceptions Across Airports, Highways, Waterways
In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted two passengers — Adediran Adedoyin and Afatakpa Ochuko — en route to Istanbul, Turkey, aboard a Turkish Airlines flight on January 20.
A total of 3,990 pills of tapentadol (250mg) and tramaking (225mg) were discovered concealed inside food items packed in their luggage.
Meanwhile, officers of the agency’s Marine Command intercepted a wooden boat at Jakande Beach, Lekki, Lagos, in the early hours of Thursday, January 22, recovering 44 jumbo bags of “Ghana Loud” cannabis, weighing 1,848 kilograms, barely hours after the shipment arrived from Ghana.
Explosives, Opioids, Cannabis Seized Nationwide
In Kaduna and Kano states, NDLEA operatives arrested Aminu Ali Baba (20) and Abdulrasheed Abubakar (28) in connection with the interception of 140 packets of explosives concealed in two bags aboard a commercial bus along the Kaduna–Zaria highway.
An intelligence-led raid in Kwangila, Zaria LGA, led to the arrest of Fatima Ibrahim (42) and Adejemoh Ismaila (44) with 120kg of skunk recovered.
In Borno State, NDLEA officers intercepted 179,590 pills of tramadol and diazepam concealed in sacks of charcoal and animal feed, heading from Yobe to Maiduguri. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Rabiu Imam (32).
In Kwara and Niger States, a follow-up operation led to the arrest of Mrs. Eze Cynthia Chioma, after her consignment of 78,500 tramadol pills was intercepted. Her husband is currently remanded in prison over a similar offence.
Village Head, Elderly Suspects, Others Arrested
In Ekiti State, NDLEA arrested 72-year-old Afolalu Joseph and Abu Bunmi (alias “Go Slow”), recovering 62kg of skunk.
In Edo State, a village head, Chief James Abamu, alongside Aboy Egah Abamu, was taken into custody after soldiers of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade handed them over to NDLEA, following the recovery of 681kg of skunk and 181kg of cannabis seeds in Esan South East LGA.
Several other arrests and seizures were recorded across Kano, Oyo, Benue, Delta, Ondo, Lagos and the FCT, involving tramadol, pentazocine injections, skuchies, codeine syrup, and cannabis weighing several tonnes.
NDLEA Sustains WADA Campaign Nationwide
The agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across schools, worship centres and communities nationwide, reaching students in Taraba, Osun, Imo, Benue and Katsina States, among others.
Commending the officers involved in the operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised their professionalism and vigilance.
“I commend the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, Marine, Borno, Jigawa, Kwara, Kaduna, Ekiti, Edo, Kano, Delta, Oyo, FCT, Benue, Lagos and Ondo Commands for their dexterity and commitment,” Marwa said.
He urged personnel across all commands to sustain the current momentum.