Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a female drug kingpin, Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat, in Lagos, recovering 23.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in her children’s room, as the agency intensified nationwide operations against drug trafficking.
The arrest comes about 20 months after NDLEA dismantled a major cocaine trafficking syndicate led by Bolanle Lookman Dauda and his wife, Olayinka Toheebat Dauda, in Lagos and Ogun states. Shodunke, identified as a key member and stash keeper of the cartel, had gone into hiding since May 2024.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said Shodunke was tracked to her residence at 31 Onasanya Street, Surulere, Lagos, where she was arrested on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. A search of her home led to the discovery of blocks of cocaine weighing 23.5kg hidden in a black suitcase in her children’s room. She reportedly admitted ownership of the drugs, estimated to be worth over ₦5 billion at street value.
The earlier arrest of the cartel leaders took place on May 25, 2024, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway at Ibiye, where 47.5kg of cocaine were found on them as they attempted to cross the border into Ghana. A follow-up search of their residence in Agbara, Ogun State, yielded an additional 10kg, bringing the total seizure from the couple to 57.5kg.
In related operations, NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, intercepted a 36-year-old businessman, Nwanwene Robinson Destiny, on December 18, while attempting to board a flight to Milan, Italy. He was found with 1,020 pills of tramadol and tapentadol concealed in his luggage.
At the Seme border, a 48-year-old Beninoise national, Leocardi Josu, was arrested with 3,400 tablets of tramadol, while along the Okene–Lokoja highway, a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu, was apprehended with 28.4kg of skunk and synthetic cannabis.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives recovered 125,000 capsules of tramadol and 1,800 ampoules of pentazocine from a Toyota Hiace bus on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Two suspects were also arrested in Ibadan with 185.4kg of skunk. Similarly, in Osun State, 405kg of skunk was seized during a raid in the Owena/Ijesha forest, while another suspect was arrested in Kaduna State with nearly 15,000 tramadol pills concealed in kolanut sacks.
Across the country, NDLEA said it sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, communities, worship centres and workplaces.
Commending the officers involved, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged personnel nationwide to remain vigilant during the festive season and maintain the highest standards of professionalism in both drug supply and demand reduction efforts.