Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a 25.05 kilograms consignment of methamphetamine concealed in packs of assorted breakfast cereals imported from South Africa through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, and arrested the 56-year-old trafficker who has lived in South Africa for over two decades under a stolen identity.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
He said the meth suspect, Omokan Isaac Babatope, whose real name is Chinedu Onwude, was arrested on Wednesday 11th November 2026 at the arrival hall of Terminal II of the Lagos airport upon his return from South Africa.
According to him, a thorough search of his two travelling boxes led to the recovery of twenty-five parcels of a white crystalline substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine with a total weight of 25.05kg.
“The parcels had been carefully concealed inside packs of assorted breakfast cereals and cereal-based food products in a bid to beat security screening.
“The 56-year-old suspect holds both Nigerian and South African passports and has been resident in South Africa for over 24 years.
He said during preliminary interview, he confessed that he adopted the name Omokan Isaac Babatope after using forged documents to gain entry into South Africa and had continued to use that identity ever since.
He further stated that he was contracted by a South Africa-based man, Obiora Okoye, to deliver the illicit consignment in Nigeria for a fee of Twenty Thousand South African Rands (R20,000).
