Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
A newlywed man identified as Lovely Chukwulobelu has reportedly been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu while allegedly attempting to traffic cocaine to Portugal.
According to the information supplied to Weng Global, Chukwulobelu was intercepted with 72 wraps of cocaine and was allegedly preparing to transport the consignment out of Nigeria to help offset expenses associated with his wedding.
The reported arrest adds to a series of drug-trafficking cases recorded at Nigerian airports, where NDLEA operatives have intercepted passengers allegedly attempting to move cocaine and other controlled substances across international borders.
Suspect Allegedly Intercepted at Enugu Airport
The incident reportedly occurred at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, during checks on passengers preparing to travel internationally.
Chukwulobelu was allegedly found in possession of 72 wraps of cocaine intended for Portugal.
The circumstances surrounding the arrest, including the precise weight of the cocaine, the airline involved and the date of the interception, could not be independently confirmed from an NDLEA statement available online as of publication.
Weng Global has therefore not included those details as established facts.
The allegation that the suspect intended to use proceeds from the drug transaction to offset wedding-related expenses also remains attributed to the reported account and should not be treated as a court-established motive.
NDLEA Continues Airport Drug Interceptions
The reported Enugu case comes amid continued efforts by the NDLEA to disrupt the movement of illicit drugs through Nigeria’s airports.
In August 2026, the agency announced the arrest of a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
According to the NDLEA, Cyril was arrested during outward clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight and was subsequently placed under observation after a body scan indicated that he had ingested illicit substances. He later excreted 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilograms.
The agency said investigations showed that Cyril had arrived in Nigeria from Italy in July and had allegedly ingested the cocaine in a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to board his flight.
The case illustrates the methods used by Nigerian drug enforcement authorities to detect suspected couriers at international departure points.
Previous Cocaine Cases at Enugu Airport
The Akanu Ibiam International Airport has previously featured in several NDLEA drug-trafficking investigations.
In November 2024, the agency announced the arrest of a 50-year-old businessman, Osuoha Christian Iheanacho, after he allegedly arrived at Enugu airport from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
NDLEA said he was placed under excretion observation and subsequently expelled 90 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.019 kilograms.
In another case announced in December 2023, NDLEA said officers at the Enugu airport intercepted 797 pellets of cocaine weighing 17.6 kilograms from a businessman identified as Augustine Justine Emeka.
The agency said the suspect had arrived from Douala, Cameroon, through Addis Ababa and that preliminary investigations linked the cocaine to multiple intended recipients in Nigeria.
These cases demonstrate the range of concealment and trafficking methods that authorities have encountered at the airport.
Cocaine Trafficking and International Routes
Nigeria’s international airports remain important points of departure in cases involving suspected transnational drug trafficking.
NDLEA reports have documented attempts to move cocaine from Nigeria to destinations in Europe, including Italy and other countries, using both concealed consignments and human couriers.
In February 2026, for example, NDLEA reported that an Ivorian national was intercepted at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while allegedly preparing to travel to Milan through Addis Ababa. The agency said the suspect subsequently excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.
Such cases have led Nigerian authorities to rely on intelligence-led operations, passenger screening, body scanning and searches of luggage and other belongings.
What Happens Next
An arrest by the NDLEA does not by itself establish criminal guilt. The suspect remains entitled to due process, including the opportunity to respond to the allegation and have the matter determined by a competent court.
If the reported arrest of Chukwulobelu is confirmed by the NDLEA, further developments would ordinarily include investigation, possible formal charges and court proceedings.
The precise quantity of cocaine allegedly recovered, the circumstances of the arrest and any statement made by the suspect will be important details in determining the next stage of the case.
Lovely Chukwulobelu from an official NDLEA publication available online at the time of writing. The agency’s recent records, however, confirm continued enforcement operations against suspected cocaine trafficking at Nigerian airports, including Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
- Channels Television
- The Guardian Nigeria
