NDLEA Intercepts Ugandan Woman at Lagos Airport With 87 Cocaine Wraps Concealed on Her Body.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34 year old Ugandan woman, identified as Farida Nansubuga, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.15 kilograms of cocaine from Nigeria to Uganda after concealing 87 wraps of the illicit substance around her pelvic region.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was intercepted on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, during a joint passenger-screening operation involving narcotics officers and aviation security personnel.
The woman was reportedly preparing to board a flight to Uganda when security operatives became suspicious during the screening process. A subsequent body search led to the discovery of the cocaine wraps concealed beneath two layers of underwear and strapped around her pelvic region.
The agency confirmed that the recovered substance consisted of 87 wraps weighing approximately 1.150 kilograms.
Religious Visit Allegedly Used as Cover for Drug Trafficking
In its account of the incident, the NDLEA disclosed that Nansubuga arrived in Nigeria on October 29, 2026, alongside members of her church for a prayer programme at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), located in the area of Lagos.
However, while other members of the delegation reportedly returned to Uganda after the religious programme, the suspect allegedly remained in Nigeria to collect the cocaine consignment on behalf of an acquaintance identified only as Joy, who resides in Uganda.
During preliminary questioning, Nansubuga reportedly told investigators that Joy connected her with an individual in Nigeria who arranged transportation to a hotel, where she received the drugs on the morning of her scheduled departure.
She further alleged that she was instructed to conceal the cocaine beneath her clothing to evade airport security checks. Although no specific payment was reportedly agreed upon, she claimed she expected to receive at least $1,000 upon successfully delivering the consignment.
These details remain allegations contained in the agency’s account and have not been independently established in court.
NDLEA Intensifies Crackdown on International Drug Trafficking
The arrest highlights the continuing challenge of international drug trafficking networks exploiting commercial aviation routes and unsuspecting or financially vulnerable individuals to transport illicit substances across borders.
Nigeria’s international airports remain important points of focus for the country’s anti narcotics operations, particularly as trafficking organisations continue to employ increasingly concealed methods to evade security checks.
Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the incident as a reminder that drug trafficking networks can exploit different social connections, including religious travel, to recruit couriers.
He commended the officers involved in the interception and urged personnel across the agency’s commands to sustain efforts aimed at disrupting drug supply networks and strengthening public awareness about substance abuse and trafficking.
The agency has not indicated in its published statement whether Nansubuga has been formally charged in court. Her legal status and the outcome of further investigations remain important developments to watch.
The case also reinforces the importance of stronger international cooperation between African countries in tackling cross border organized crime, identifying trafficking networks and holding those responsible accountable through due process.