Ugandan ‘Lady Evangelist’ Arrested in Nigeria With 87 Wraps of Cocaine Concealed in Private Part
By Trek Africa Newspaper
A 34-year-old Ugandan woman, identified as Farida Nansubuga, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly attempting to smuggle 87 wraps of cocaine out of Nigeria.
The suspect was arrested on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while preparing to board a flight to Uganda.
According to the NDLEA, the 87 wraps of cocaine, weighing approximately 1.15 kilogrammes, were concealed around her pelvic region beneath two layers of underwear.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspect arrived in Nigeria on October 29 alongside members of her church for a prayer programme at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), located in the Ikotun-Egbe area of Lagos.
The agency disclosed that while other members of the delegation returned to Uganda after the religious programme, Nansubuga allegedly remained in Nigeria to collect the illicit consignment on behalf of a friend identified only as Joy, who resides in Uganda.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that Joy connected her with a contact in Nigeria, who arranged transportation to a hotel where an unidentified man allegedly handed over the cocaine.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that she was instructed to conceal the consignment beneath her clothing to avoid detection during airport security checks.
She allegedly disclosed that although no specific payment was agreed upon, she expected to receive at least $1,000 after successfully delivering the consignment in Uganda.
The NDLEA said its operatives intercepted her during a joint passenger screening exercise with aviation security personnel at Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport.
Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), warned that drug trafficking networks were increasingly exploiting religious activities and international travel to recruit unsuspecting couriers.
He commended the officers involved in the operation and urged personnel across the agency’s commands to sustain efforts against drug trafficking.
The agency reiterated its commitment to disrupting international drug trafficking networks and preventing Nigeria from becoming a hub for illicit drug activities.
Trek Africa Newspaper reports that the arrest highlights the growing concerns surrounding the exploitation of religious journeys and international travel for criminal activities.
