Anti-Drug Operatives Foil Attempt To Smuggle Tramadol Capsules Hidden In Artificial Baby Bump
By Wapcodehub9ja Crime Correspondent Reporting Live From Kano And Lagos, Nigeria
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted a Kano-based businesswoman, Rabi Muhammad, over an alleged attempt to smuggle illicit drugs concealed in a fabricated pregnancy.
The 35-year-old suspect was apprehended at the departure area of the Seme land border in Lagos on Monday, 16 February 2026, while reportedly attempting to cross into Cotonou, Benin Republic.
According to NDLEA officials, officers observed a suspicious protruding stomach during routine checks, prompting a detailed search. Authorities say the inspection revealed that the pregnancy was fake.
Investigators disclosed that the artificial baby bump was allegedly constructed using a pink-colored calabash tied around her abdomen. Inside the concealed compartment, officers reportedly recovered 3,200 capsules of tramadol.
The agency stated that the suspect intended to transport the opioids across the border for distribution. Tramadol remains a controlled substance in Nigeria due to concerns over abuse and illegal trafficking.
In a related development, NDLEA also reported foiling attempts by other traffickers to move cocaine and opioids through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and the Seme border corridor.
The agency emphasized that concealment methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with traffickers adopting deceptive tactics to evade detection at airports and land borders.
Officials reiterated their commitment to strengthening surveillance and intelligence-driven operations across key transit points nationwide. Enhanced screening technologies and inter-agency cooperation remain central to ongoing enforcement strategies.
The NDLEA assured the public that sustained operations will continue to disrupt narcotics networks and prevent the movement of illicit substances across Nigeria’s borders.
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