Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a woman at the busy Seme border for allegedly concealing a large quantity of tramadol capsules under a fabricated pregnancy.
The suspect was intercepted at the Seme Border, a major entry and exit point between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, during a routine stop-and-search operation by NDLEA officers.
According to the agency, the woman aroused suspicion due to her unusual body movement and inconsistent responses during questioning. A subsequent search reportedly revealed that her protruding stomach was not a pregnancy but a carefully strapped package containing several wraps of tramadol capsules.
Tramadol, an opioid pain medication frequently abused for its psychoactive effects, is classified as a controlled substance in Nigeria. The NDLEA has intensified surveillance at land borders and other strategic locations as part of ongoing efforts to curb the trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs.
A video of the arrest, which has since circulated online, shows officers removing the concealed packages strapped around the suspect’s waist and abdomen area, confirming that the “baby bump” was a disguise.
The agency reiterated its commitment to tightening security at border points and warned traffickers against devising increasingly desperate tactics to evade detection.
Further investigations are ongoing, and the suspect is expected to be charged in court upon conclusion of preliminary inquiries.
