The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 34-year-old Ugandan woman, Farida Nansubuga, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.15kg of cocaine from Nigeria to Uganda.
Nansubuga was arrested on November 3, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while preparing to board a flight to her home country. NDLEA operatives reportedly discovered 87 wraps of cocaine concealed around her pelvic area beneath two layers of underwear.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the suspect arrived in Nigeria on October 29 alongside members of her church delegation for a prayer programme at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos.
While the other members of the delegation returned to Uganda, Nansubuga reportedly remained in Nigeria to collect the cocaine for an associate identified as Joy.
According to the NDLEA, she was intercepted during a joint screening exercise involving its operatives and aviation security personnel.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that a Nigerian contact arranged her transportation to a hotel, where an unidentified man handed over the drug consignment to her.
The suspect allegedly told investigators that she was instructed to conceal the cocaine beneath her clothing to avoid detection during security checks. She was reportedly promised at least $1,000 for successfully delivering the consignment, although no definite payment arrangement had been reached.
Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), warned that drug trafficking networks were exploiting religious activities and international travel to recruit couriers.
Marwa described the incident as a reminder that drug cartels were increasingly using unsuspecting platforms, including religious trips, to facilitate their illicit operations.
