NDLEA arrests 55-year-old Lagos businessman accused of orchestrating 3.3kg c%caine shipment bound for the U.K

 Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, over an attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of c@caine concealed inside the walls of cartons used to package food items destined for the United Kingdom.

Onuigbo, a clothing trader at the popular Balogun Market on Lagos Island, was arrested on Thursday, July 23, 2026, days after NDLEA officers intercepted the dr¥g consignment at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 22.

According to the agency, investigations initially led to the arrest of three cargo agents who handled the shipment: Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed, and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim.

Further investigation resulted in the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu, who reportedly delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for export.

NDLEA said Okakpu’s arrest provided investigators with crucial information that identified Onuigbo as the alleged kingpin behind the dr¥g tra+fficking syndicate.

The agency added that the businessman was eventually apprehended while allegedly attempting to send another c@caine shipment to the UK.

The latest arrest highlights NDLEA’s ongoing crackdown on dr¥g trafficking networks using legitimate export channels to smuggle illicit substances abroad.

The statement was signed by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, July 26, 2026.