The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled an attempt by a 26-year-old nursing student, Esther Onyinyechi Uzodinma, to smuggle 76 wraps of cocaine to India. Uzodinma, a second-year nursing student at Noida International University, Uttar Pradesh, was arrested on January 16, 2025, at the Royal Park Hotel, Sabon Gari, Kano, just hours before her scheduled departure from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed that the arrest followed a chain of operations. Earlier that day, operatives intercepted Cosmas Okorie, 31, on the Okene-Lokoja highway in Kogi State. Okorie was found with an audio speaker concealing 76 pellets of cocaine, weighing 1.34 kilograms, intended for Uzodinma.
“Esther was scheduled to fly to Delhi, India, on Qatar Airways flight 1432 the next morning. She was arrested while waiting to receive the cocaine consignment she was to ingest,” Babafemi said.
Cartel Connection
Uzodinma reportedly confessed to being recruited by a drug cartel in India, which financed her trip to Nigeria for the Christmas and New Year holidays. To avoid detection, she avoided visiting her home state of Imo and stayed in hotels across Enugu, Abuja, and Kano. She was promised $5,000 for successfully delivering the drugs.
Nationwide Crackdown
The arrest highlights NDLEA’s intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking. Recent operations have resulted in multiple arrests and seizures, including tramadol pills, cannabis, and psychoactive substances concealed in various creative ways.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks young Nigerians face when lured by promises of quick money, as the agency continues its relentless fight against drug trafficking and abuse.