The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old Ugandan woman, identified as Farida Nansubuga, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.15 kilogrammes of cocaine from Nigeria to Uganda.
The suspect was arrested on November 3, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while preparing to board a flight to her home country.
According to the NDLEA, operatives discovered 87 wraps of cocaine concealed around her pelvic region beneath two layers of underwear during a security screening exercise.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that Nansubuga arrived in Nigeria on October 29, 2026, alongside members of her church delegation for a prayer programme at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos.
However, while other members of the delegation returned to Uganda, she reportedly remained in Nigeria to collect a drug consignment allegedly arranged for her by an acquaintance identified as Joy.
The NDLEA stated that the suspect was intercepted during a joint screening operation involving its officers and aviation security personnel.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that a Nigerian contact had arranged her transportation to a hotel, where an unidentified man allegedly handed over the cocaine to her.
During interrogation, Nansubuga reportedly told investigators that she was instructed to conceal the drugs beneath her clothing to evade airport security checks.
She was also said to have expected a payment of at least $1,000 upon successfully delivering the consignment, although no specific amount had been formally agreed upon.
Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the incident as another example of drug trafficking networks exploiting religious activities and international travel to recruit couriers.
Marwa warned that criminal networks were increasingly taking advantage of unsuspecting individuals and religious journeys to facilitate the transportation of illicit drugs across international borders.
“The case of the Ugandan woman is a sad reminder that drug cartels will stop at nothing, including exploiting faith and religious travel, to recruit couriers for their deadly trade,” he said.
The agency reiterated its commitment to intensifying surveillance and intelligence-led operations at the nation’s airports and other entry and exit points to combat drug trafficking.
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