NDLEA Foils Bizarre Drug Smuggling Plot Using Fake Pregnancy
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully intercepted a highly unusual drug trafficking attempt involving a Kano-based businesswoman. The suspect, identified as Rabi Muhammad, was apprehended while trying to smuggle a substantial quantity of tramadol capsules concealed within a fabricated pregnancy bump.
Interception at Seme Land Border
The dramatic arrest occurred on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the departure tarmac of the Seme land border in Lagos. NDLEA officers noticed the 35-year-old woman with a conspicuously protruding stomach as she attempted to cross into Cotonou, Benin Republic. Suspicious of her appearance, the agents decided to conduct a thorough inspection.
According to an official statement released on Sunday, February 22, by the agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, a full body search revealed the shocking truth. "Her pregnancy was fake and her baby bump was designed with a pink coloured calabash used to conceal 3,200 capsules of tramadol, which she tied around her stomach and was taking to Cotonou to sell," the statement detailed.
Details of the Concealment Method
The smuggling technique employed by Muhammad was both creative and audacious. She had ingeniously crafted a fake pregnancy using a pink calabash, which she securely fastened around her abdomen. Inside this makeshift device, she had hidden thousands of tramadol capsules, a prescription opioid medication often abused as a recreational drug.
This incident highlights the increasingly inventive methods drug traffickers are adopting to evade detection at Nigeria's borders. The NDLEA has been intensifying its operations to combat such illicit activities, and this bust serves as a testament to their vigilance and effectiveness.
Agency's Response and Ongoing Efforts
In the wake of this interception, the NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to cracking down on drug trafficking networks across the country. The agency's spokesperson emphasized that no stone will be left unturned in the fight against narcotics, regardless of the smuggling tactics employed.
The arrest of Rabi Muhammad underscores the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in curbing drug-related crimes. It also raises awareness about the dangers of tramadol abuse, which has become a significant public health concern in many regions.
As investigations continue, the NDLEA is expected to pursue further leads to dismantle any associated drug rings. This case serves as a stark warning to potential traffickers about the consequences of engaging in such illegal activities.
