NDLEA Nabs Fugitive Cocaine Syndicate Member in Lagos
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat, a key figure in a cocaine trafficking syndicate previously busted in Lagos and Ogun states, following months of intelligence-led surveillance.
Simbiat, who had gone into hiding since May 2024, was apprehended at her residence on Onasanya Street, Surulere, Lagos, where officers recovered 23.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside a suitcase in her children’s room.
The arrest marks a major breakthrough in the agency’s sustained efforts to dismantle the trans-border drug trafficking organisation.
According to a statement by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the cocaine cartel was initially smashed in May 2024 with the arrest of its leaders, Bolanle Lookman Dauda and his wife, Olayinka Toheebat Dauda.
The couple was arrested on Saturday, May 25, 2024, by operatives of NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit at Ibiye, along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, while attempting to cross Nigeria’s land border en route to Ghana.
At the time of their arrest, NDLEA operatives recovered 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms from them.
A follow-up search of the couple’s residence at Plot 24/25, OPIC Extension, Petedo Road, Agbara, Ogun State, led to the recovery of an additional eight blocks of cocaine weighing 10 kilograms.
This brought the total quantity of cocaine seized from the couple to 57.5 kilograms, valued at several billions of naira.
Babafemi said NDLEA operatives sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance to track down every member of the syndicate after the initial arrests.
This process led to the identification of Simbiat, a 39-year-old female, as a stash keeper and core member of the trafficking network.
She was eventually trailed to her Lagos residence in Surulere and arrested on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
A thorough search of the house uncovered 23.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside a black suitcase kept in her children’s room.
Babafemi disclosed that Simbiat admitted ownership of the drugs, which have an estimated street value of over ₦5 billion.
The arrest underscores NDLEA’s determination to pursue drug trafficking suspects long after initial operations and prevent Nigeria from serving as a transit hub for international cocaine smuggling.
The agency says investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend any remaining members of the syndicate.
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