NDLEA catches two Nigerians going to Europe with cocaine

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has caught two Nigerians living in Europe. They allegedly swallowed 200 wraps of cocaine weighing 3.46kg while trying to fly from Abuja to Paris, France.

The suspects, Aliocus Odife and Sam Blackborn, were arrested on Wednesday, October 28, during the check-in for an Air France flight, AF 832, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA spokesman, said these men returned to Nigeria for a holiday. They were caught after body scans showed they had swallowed illegal drugs.

Babafemi shared that Odife lives in France and works in a factory. He came back to Nigeria on October 21 for a short holiday but was caught while trying to return to Europe.

Odife admitted to swallowing 110 wraps of cocaine, which he later excreted while under observation. The drugs weighed 1.901kg.

The statement mentioned, “Two Europe-based Nigerian ‘businessmen’ who flew home on holiday and tried to return to Paris, France with cocaine in their bellies have been arrested by NDLEA operatives at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“The two men, Aliocus Godian Odife and Sam Blackborn, were stopped on Wednesday, 28th October 2026, during the check-in for Air France flight AF 832 from Abuja to Paris. Both men excreted 200 wraps of the Class A drug weighing 3.460 kilograms.

“Odife, who claims to live in France and works in a factory, arrived in Nigeria for a short holiday on 21st October.

“He was arrested by NDLEA operatives on his return flight a few days later. A body scan showed foreign objects in his stomach.

“During questioning, he admitted to swallowing 110 pellets of cocaine. He was monitored and later excreted all 110 wraps, which tested positive for cocaine and weighed 1.901 kilograms.”

Babafemi said Blackborn, who was also scanned, tested positive. He confessed to swallowing 90 wraps of cocaine.

The agency reported that he excreted all the wraps while under observation, which weighed 1.559kg.

Babafemi quoted the agency’s Chairman, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), warning Nigerians living abroad against using their overseas homes to traffic drugs.

Marwa said, “The capture of the two cocaine couriers at Abuja airport is a fresh warning to those who think they can use their residence abroad as cover to traffic drugs across Nigerian borders.”

He added that NDLEA operatives at every entry and exit point are staying alert.

“There is no hiding place for anyone who risks their life and freedom by swallowing illegal drugs for money,” he said.

The NDLEA chairman praised the officers from Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Ondo, Oyo, and Edo states for their work in making the arrests and seizures.

He also encouraged officers to keep fighting drug trafficking and to strengthen drug demand reduction campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse initiative.