By Ade Oyeyemi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a female passenger allegedly attempting to smuggle cannabis to Saudi Arabia after discovering the substance concealed in a gallon of palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State.
The suspect, Fatimah Ahmad, was intercepted on Friday, October 16, during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight bound for Jeddah via Addis Ababa.
According to the agency, operatives discovered 511.75 grammes of cannabis packed inside the palm oil container.
During questioning, Ahmad reportedly told investigators that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, had given her the gallon. Yahaya was subsequently arrested at the airport car park.
The development was disclosed by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement issued on Sunday.
In a separate operation, the agency intercepted 8,725 kilogrammes of powdered tramadol valued at more than N6.98bn in street value during a search of a consignment at the Apapa Port in Lagos State.
The seizures form part of the agency’s ongoing operations to disrupt drug trafficking and prevent prohibited substances from being transported through Nigeria’s airports and seaports.
The NDLEA said its operatives at the Kano airport intercepted Ahmad while she was preparing to board the flight to Saudi Arabia.
The agency’s statement read, “At the Kano airport, NDLEA officers on Friday, 16th October 2026, intercepted a female passenger, Fatimah Ahmad, with a gallon of palm oil containing parcels of cannabis weighing 511.75 grammes during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Addis Ababa.
“Fatimah told operatives the gallon was given to her by her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, who was promptly arrested at the airport car park.”
