It was learnt that 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms were intercepted at the airport’s export shed, where the syndicate allegedly attempted to smuggle the shipment to London, United Kingdom.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an ex-convict, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, and three airport cargo agents over a UK-bound cocaine consignment concealed inside factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
It was learnt that 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms were intercepted at the airport’s export shed, where the syndicate allegedly attempted to smuggle the shipment to London, United Kingdom.
The three cargo agents, identified as Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane, were arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025, after NDLEA officers uncovered the drug-laden cargo during routine checks.
Following their arrest, Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy of NDLEA in a statement on Sunday said further investigations tracked down Basil, 37, identified as the alleged mastermind.
Officers later apprehended him in a follow-up sting operation on Sunday, December 21, at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja while he was on a date with his girlfriend, NDLEA sources disclosed.
According to NDLEA, Basil is a notorious repeat offender previously convicted after being linked to 30.10kg of methamphetamine hidden in powdered custard containers in May 2023.
“The Agency’s criminal database revealed that Nwobodo (Basil) had been arrested in May 2023 in connection with the seizure of 30.10kg methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers as part of a consolidated cargo going to London, United Kingdom at the export shed of the Lagos airport. He was subsequently arraigned at a Federal High Court in charge number: FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a fine of Seven Million Naira (₦7,000,000.00), along with one-month community service, with effect from 4th December, 2023,” Babafemi said in a statement.
“He paid the fine and soon after returned to the same crime.”
That shipment was also traced to the Lagos airport and was headed to London as part of a consolidated export cargo.
Court documents show that Basil was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos, Charge No: FHC/L/337C/2023, and sentenced on December 4, 2023, to five years imprisonment for drug trafficking.
However, he reportedly paid a ₦7 million fine in lieu of prison time and was also given one month of community service, after which he allegedly returned to the same criminal enterprise.
Babafemi asserted that Basil’s re-entry into the drug trade raises serious questions about weak sentencing, judicial loopholes and Nigeria’s revolving-door justice system, which appears to enable high-profile traffickers to return to criminal networks with minimal consequence.
He added that the suspects are now in custody and will face prosecution, while investigations continue to trace possible collaborators both within and outside the airport.
WATCH: Nigeria Arrests Ex-Convict, Three Cargo Agents Over UK-Bound Cocaine At Lagos Airport pic.twitter.com/l7QOLZ1mQW
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) December 28, 2025