Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria have disrupted an illicit drug trafficking operation, apprehending a 35-year-old woman identified as Rabi Muhammad at the Seme border. Authorities became suspicious of Muhammad when they noticed that her protruding stomach was not due to actual pregnancy but rather a fake pregnancy device. Upon further inspection, officials found 3,200 capsules of tramadol concealed within a pink calabash strapped to her abdomen, destined for sale across the border into Cotonou.

This incident highlights the lengths to which drug traffickers will go to evade law enforcement agencies, utilizing deceptive methods such as fake pregnancies to smuggle drugs out of the country. The NDLEA has been actively combating drug trafficking within Nigeria, and this operation underscores their ongoing efforts to intercept illegal drug movement through both air and land borders. The successful seizure of these opioids marks a significant win for the agency against the burgeoning drug trade in the region.

Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, shared details of the operation, emphasizing the importance of vigilance at border crossings such as Seme, particularly in combating the trade of harmful substances like tramadol. As the agency continues to ramp up its enforcement activities, this incident may deter future attempts at drug trafficking, signaling a robust commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring the safety of Nigerian borders from illicit drugs.