Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have dismantled a suspected international drug trafficking network, leading to the arrest of an Ivorian national and a 69-year-old Nigerian medical doctor in a coordinated operation spanning multiple states.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday, April 12, 2026, by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, who detailed how intelligence gathering and sustained surveillance led to the successful interception of the suspects and the recovery of illicit substances.
According to the statement, the first suspect, identified as 41-year-old Ivorian national Gohouri Michael, was apprehended at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport during the outward clearance of passengers preparing to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight bound for Milan, Italy, via Addis Ababa.
NDLEA officials revealed that Gohouri was arrested on February 16, 2026, following a routine screening process that raised suspicions about his condition. Subsequent medical examination confirmed that he had ingested a total of 82 wraps of cocaine, with a combined weight of approximately 1.49 kilograms.
The agency explained that the suspect had carefully concealed the illicit drug within his body in a bid to evade detection and smuggle it across international borders. Authorities described the method as one commonly employed by drug couriers operating within transnational trafficking networks.
Investigations into the suspect’s movements revealed a complex travel pattern prior to his arrest. Gohouri had reportedly arrived in Lagos from Milan, Italy, on January 17, 2026, and spent several weeks moving between Lagos and Enugu. During this period, he was believed to have been making arrangements for the trafficking operation.
He later travelled to Kano, where he lodged in a hotel for about a week. It was during this stay that he allegedly ingested the cocaine consignment in preparation for his return trip to Europe. NDLEA officials stated that the suspect had been promised a payment of €5,000 upon successful delivery of the drugs in Milan.
Further investigation by the agency uncovered that Gohouri was not acting alone but was instead operating under the direction of a coordinator who provided instructions on how to transport the drugs through the airport undetected. This discovery prompted a deeper probe into the network behind the operation.
Through a combination of intelligence analysis and field operations, NDLEA operatives were able to identify the alleged mastermind as Dr. Chudi Daniel Ofomata, a 69-year-old medical doctor based in Ogun State.
The agency subsequently launched a follow-up operation to track and apprehend the suspect. On March 27, 2026, NDLEA officers located and arrested Dr. Ofomata at his residence in the Teachers’ Land Estate area of Magboro, within Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
Officials disclosed that the arrest was carried out without incident and was based on credible intelligence linking the doctor to the trafficking network. He was later transported to Kano on April 7 to assist with ongoing investigations related to the case.
At the time of his arrest, NDLEA operatives reportedly recovered a quantity of controlled substances from the doctor’s residence. These included 63 grams of promazepam, a psychoactive drug, as well as seven ampoules of promethazine injection, both of which are substances subject to regulatory control due to their potential for misuse.
The agency stated that the recovery of these items further strengthened the case against the suspect and provided additional leads into the broader operations of the syndicate.
Babafemi noted that the successful arrests underscore the agency’s continued commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders. He emphasized that the NDLEA remains vigilant in monitoring airports, seaports, and other entry and exit points to prevent the movement of illicit drugs.
He added that the operation highlights the evolving tactics employed by drug traffickers, including the recruitment of individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions to facilitate their activities. The involvement of a medical doctor in the case, he said, demonstrates the lengths to which criminal networks are willing to go in order to evade detection.
Security analysts have described the case as a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking, particularly given the international dimension of the operation. The interception of the cocaine consignment not only prevented its distribution in Europe but also disrupted a supply chain linking multiple countries.
The NDLEA reiterated its warning to individuals involved in drug trafficking, stressing that no effort would be spared in identifying, tracking, and prosecuting offenders, regardless of their status or profession.
Authorities also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, noting that community cooperation plays a crucial role in combating organised crime.
As investigations continue, the agency is expected to pursue further leads to identify additional collaborators within the network, both within Nigeria and abroad. Officials indicated that efforts are ongoing to map out the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and bring all those involved to justice.
The suspects are currently in custody and are expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations, in line with Nigeria’s drug control laws.
The latest operation adds to a series of high-profile interceptions by the NDLEA in recent months, reflecting intensified efforts by the agency to curb drug trafficking and protect public health and national security.
