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NDLEA Arrests Ex-Footballer, Others For Cocaine Smuggling At Airport

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedJune 29, 2025

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested former international footballer Segun George Hunkarin and his associate, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to the spokesperson of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi Chinedu, a frequent flyer known for transporting goods between Turkey and Nigeria, was first arrested on June 24, 2025, when 800 grams of cocaine concealed in 37 wraps were “found in his carry-on luggage” upon arrival from Turkey via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Babafemi said the ex-footballer admitted to trafficking drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia but denied bringing any drugs into Nigeria.

“Further checks revealed that an accomplice who turned out to be the former professional footballer, Segun Hunkarin, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport carpark to collect the consignment from him,” Babafemi said.

“Hunkarin who had stayed years in Brazil playing for football clubs was promptly tracked and arrested at the carpark.

“In his statement, Hunkarin claimed that while playing professional football in the South American country, he had only trafficked drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia but has never brought any to Nigeria.”

On June 27, NDLEA operatives arrested Amen Okoro Godstime, a Europe-based businessman, at Lagos airport while “attempting to smuggle 5,000 tramadol 225mg pills disguised as malaria drugs to Spain”.

Okoro, involved in freight and logistics between Europe and Nigeria, reportedly planned to transport the drugs from Spain to France and then to Italy for sale.

At Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu, NDLEA operatives intercepted Ezenwaka Chibuzor Emmanuel, a 38-year-old bar attendant based in Maputo, Mozambique, with “17.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.05 kilograms of cocaine concealed in his luggage”.

He arrived from Johannesburg via Addis Ababa on June 27.

Also at Enugu airport, 54-year-old toy seller Azu Follygan Kpodar was allegedly caught with “1.25 kilograms of liquid cocaine disguised as liquid soap”.

Kpodar, who arrived from Sao Paulo, Brazil, claimed he bought the substance while shopping for his wedding in Nigeria.

At the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos, NDLEA arrested Vode Jean-Luck, a 26-year-old Beninese national, on June 24 for allegedly attempting to smuggle “29.5 kilograms of skunk cannabis into Nigeria”.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.