Lagos Businessman Arrested for Smuggling Cocaine to the UK

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 55-year-old Lagos businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu. He was caught trying to export 3.30kg of cocaine hidden in the walls of cartons meant for foodstuffs going to the United Kingdom.

The NDLEA said Chinedu, who sells clothes at Balogun Market on Lagos Island, was picked up on Thursday, July 23, 2026. His arrest followed the interception of the cocaine shipment at the export shed of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, a day before.

In a statement released on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, mentioned that three cargo agents were arrested initially. Their names are Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed, and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim. They were involved in handling the consignment.

The statement said, "A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun market, Lagos Island, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs going to the United Kingdom."

"Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday 23rd July 2026 following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday 22nd July by NDLEA operatives. In the course of investigation, three cargo agents: Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the shipment were initially arrested leading to the arrest Kenneth Okakpu who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK."

"Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventual arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK."