Ex-International Footballer, Four Others Arrested for Drug Trafficking at Lagos and Enugu Airports

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested former international footballer Segun George Hunkarin and four others in separate operations involving the seizure of over 22.6 kilograms of cocaine, methamphetamine, and other drugs at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu.

Hunkarin and his business partner, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, were apprehended at MMIA on June 24, 2025. Chinedu, a frequent flyer known for transporting clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs in the reverse direction, was caught with 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800 grams concealed in his carry-on luggage. He had collected the consignment during a transit stop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Hunkarin was arrested at the airport car park while waiting to receive the drugs. Hunkarin admitted to previously trafficking drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia during his football career but denied bringing drugs into Nigeria.

On June 27, NDLEA operatives arrested Amen Okoro Godstime, a Europe-based businessman, at Lagos airport attempting to smuggle 5,000 tramadol pills disguised as malaria drugs to Spain. At Enugu airport, Ezenwaka Chibuzor Emmanuel, a bar attendant based in Mozambique, was caught with 17.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.05 kilograms of cocaine concealed in his luggage. Another passenger, Azu Follygan Kpodar from Brazil, was found with 1.25 kilograms of liquid cocaine disguised in a liquid soap container.

Additional arrests include 26-year-old Beninese national Vode Jean-Luck at the Seme border with 29.5 kilograms of skunk cannabis, notorious Kwara State drug dealer Mary Bolanle Oladele (“Iya Nafi”) with skunk, tramadol, and flunitrazepam, and 72-year-old Christy Ejaro in Delta State with retail-sized sachets of skunk cannabis.

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NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers for balancing drug supply reduction with demand reduction efforts, while the agency continued social advocacy and drug abuse sensitization programs nationwide.

This coordinated crackdown highlights ongoing efforts to stem drug trafficking through Nigerian airports and borders.