30 June, 2025
Sports Desk
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a former Nigerian international footballer, Segun George Hunkarin, for his alleged involvement in a cocaine smuggling operation into the country through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
The arrest, which marks a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle cross-border drug syndicates, also led to the apprehension of four other suspects, including businessmen operating between Europe, Brazil, and various Nigerian cities.
According to a statement by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the operation began with the arrest of a regular traveler and clothing importer, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, on Tuesday, June 24, upon his arrival at the Lagos airport from Turkey via Ethiopia.
“During a search of Chinedu’s hand luggage, operatives found 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800 grams, concealed within the bag,” Babafemi revealed. “He admitted collecting the bag during a stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from another member of the network.”
Further investigation led operatives to Segun George Hunkarin, who was waiting at the airport carpark to collect the illicit consignment. Hunkarin, who had a football career in Brazil, confessed during interrogation that he had trafficked drugs before—though never into Nigeria.
“I played in Brazil for years. I have moved drugs twice to Ethiopia in the past, but this is my first involvement in anything coming into Nigeria,” Hunkarin reportedly told investigators.
In a separate bust at the same Lagos airport, a Europe-based logistics businessman, Amen Okoro Godstime, was caught attempting to smuggle 5,000 pills of high-dose tramadol disguised as malaria medication. The drugs, cleverly packaged as Lonart, Amatem, and Aluktem, were intercepted as he prepared to board a flight to Spain via Casablanca.
Babafemi said Okoro planned to take a train to France from Spain, and then send the tramadol consignment to Italy for distribution.
The agency also intercepted two drug traffickers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. Ezenwaka Chibuzor Emmanuel, a 38-year-old bar attendant based in Mozambique, was caught with over 17.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3 kilograms of cocaine concealed in bedsheets. He had arrived from Johannesburg via Addis Ababa.
Another passenger on the same flight, Azu Follygan Kpodar, 54, was arrested with 1.25 kilograms of liquid cocaine hidden inside a plastic container of liquid soap. Kpodar, a toy trader based in Sao Paulo, claimed he bought the substance during preparations for his wedding in Nigeria.
In other parts of the country, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Beninese national, Jean-Luck Vode, at Seme border on June 24. He was caught attempting to smuggle 29.5 kilograms of skunk into Nigeria.
In Kwara State, a notorious female drug dealer, Mary Bolanle Oladele, popularly known as Iya Nafi, was apprehended at her base in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area. Various quantities of tramadol, skunk, and flunitrazepam were found at the scene.
Similarly, a 72-year-old woman, Mrs. Christy Ejaro, was arrested in Warri, Delta State, where multiple sachets of skunk were recovered from her.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the operatives involved in the series of arrests and seizures.
“Our officers are demonstrating resilience and professionalism in the fight against drug trafficking. These arrests show our determination to curb both supply and demand,” he said.
He also commended the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities across various schools in Nigeria, aimed at discouraging young people from drug abuse.
From Lagos to Enugu, from border checkpoints to school classrooms, the NDLEA continues to spread its net, signalling that no trafficker is beyond its reach.
