The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old Ugandan woman, Farida Nansubuga, after allegedly discovering 87 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.15 kilogrammes concealed around her pelvic region at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The suspect was reportedly arrested on November 3, 2026, while preparing to board a flight to Uganda, following a joint screening operation involving NDLEA operatives and aviation security personnel.
According to the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, Nansubuga arrived in Nigeria on October 29 alongside members of her church delegation for a prayer programme at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos.
However, while other members of the delegation returned to Uganda, she allegedly remained in Nigeria to collect a cocaine consignment intended for smuggling into her country.
The agency disclosed that the drugs were concealed beneath two layers of underwear around her pelvic area in an attempt to evade airport security checks.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that a Nigerian contact arranged her transportation to a hotel, where an unidentified man handed over the consignment.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly told investigators that she was instructed to conceal the cocaine beneath her clothing and deliver it to a woman identified as Joy.
She reportedly expected to receive at least $1,000 for successfully delivering the drugs, although no specific payment agreement had been reached.
Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), warned that international drug cartels were increasingly exploiting religious activities and travel arrangements to recruit unsuspecting couriers.
“The case of the Ugandan woman is a sad reminder that drug cartels will stop at nothing, including exploiting faith and religious travel, to recruit couriers for their deadly trade,” Marwa said.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and preventing Nigeria’s airports and other entry and exit points from being used for illicit drug operations.
