馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
NDLEA arrests Ivorian, medical doctor over cocaine trafficking, seizes drugs nationwide
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has arrested an Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, and a Nigerian medical doctor, Dr Chudi Ofomata, in connection with cocaine trafficking. Gohouri Michael, 41, was apprehended at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Milan, Italy, after ingesting 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49kg. Investigations revealed that Dr Chudi Ofomata, 69, was the coordinator behind the operation, giving instructions to Gohouri. Dr Ofomata was arrested at his residence in Magboro, Ogun State, on March 27, 2026, with 63 grams of promazepam and seven ampoules of promethazine injection recovered from him. These arrests are part of broader efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks. In other operations, NDLEA operatives in Lagos intercepted a Chisco Transport luxury bus carrying 15 kilograms of skunk and arrested two suspects, Kingsley Nsofor and Opara Ifeanyi. In Abia State, a 90-year-old man, Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, was arrested with 7.7 kilograms of skunk. Additional arrests and seizures include 34 kilograms of skunk in Ogun State, 56.2 kilograms of skunk from a 26-year-old woman in Imo State, and 118 kilograms of skunk from a couple in Niger State. In Borno State, a trailer carrying Rohypnol tablets, codeine syrup, and pentazocine injections was intercepted, leading to the arrest of the owner. In Mushin, Lagos, 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup were seized, and two individuals were arrested.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated that he relies on his wife's prayers for continued support from President Bola Tinubu, highlighting its importance for ministers to fulfill their mandates. Speaking at the inauguration of the Water Supply Network to Bwari Satellite Town, Wike mentioned that his administration has officially commissioned 50 projects and plans to commission 10 more before January. He stressed that presidential backing is crucial for performance, drawing from his experience as a former governor and minister. Wike revealed he asks his wife to pray for the President's continued support for the FCT Administration, acknowledging the support received has enabled positive changes. He added that governance aims to improve citizens' lives, a goal he believes the Tinubu administration is working towards.
Must ReadThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA of Nigeria and its Egyptian counterpart are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding MoU to enhance cooperation in fighting substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. This agreement aims to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint operations, and training between the two nations. NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa retd., announced this during a visit from the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, at the agency's headquarters in Abuja. Marwa emphasized the global nature of the drug problem and the need for international collaboration, citing existing partnerships with various international law enforcement agencies. He noted that drug cartels are seeking alternative routes in Africa due to pressure elsewhere and highlighted NDLEA's success in dismantling drug manufacturing operations, including methamphetamine labs run by Mexican cartels in Nigeria. Ambassador Fouad underscored the importance of stronger bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Nigeria, as prominent African countries, to address narcotics trafficking from a continental perspective. The proposed MoU is expected to bolster intelligence gathering, capacity building, and coordinated enforcement actions to curb the illicit drug trade across Africa.
A coroner's court in the United Kingdom has ruled that Beatrice Solomon, a 27-year-old Nigerian woman, died by suicide. Ms. Solomon, who moved to the UK in November 2023 on a skilled worker visa, was found unresponsive in her Stanfield home. Her husband, Damian Butler, discovered her upon returning home from work. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. Police investigators ruled out any third-party involvement. During the inquest, Mr. Butler stated that his wife had struggled with her mental health for the past year, attributing it to issues with Stoke-on-Trent City Council. He also revealed that Ms. Solomon had made two previous attempts to take her own life. A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death as oxygen deprivation. Coroner Li Hammond-Naylor concluded that Ms. Solomon died by suicide, noting that she had researched and planned the act. Ms. Solomon, a caregiver, is survived by her husband, a son, and her siblings.