Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 69-year-old medical doctor and a 41-year-old Ivorian national over alleged involvement in international cocaine trafficking.

The NDLEA said the Ivorian, Gohouri Michael, was intercepted on February 16, 2026, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan via Addis Ababa. A search revealed he had ingested 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.

Investigations showed Gohouri arrived in Lagos from Milan on January 17, 2026, shuttled between Lagos and Enugu for three weeks, then traveled to Kano where he lodged for a week and ingested the consignment in his hotel room. He was to receive 5,000 euros upon delivery in Milan.

Further intelligence linked a “shadowy figure” coordinating the operation to Dr. Chudi Daniel Ofomata, who was tracked to his residence in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State. He was arrested on March 27, 2026. Substances including 63 grams of promazepam and ampoules of promethazine injection were recovered from him.

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said the arrests were part of sustained intelligence-led operations targeting drug cartels. The agency also reported the arrest of a 93-year-old man in Abia State with 7.7 kilograms of skunk in a separate operation.

Both suspects linked to the cocaine case remain in custody as investigations continue.