NDLEA Arrests Female Drug Kingpin in Lagos, Seizes 23.5kg Cocaine Hidden in Children’s Room

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a female drug kingpin, Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat, in Lagos, recovering 23.50 kilograms of cocaine concealed in her children’s room.

Shodunke, identified as a key member of an international cocaine trafficking syndicate, was arrested at her residence on Onasanya Street, Surulere, Lagos, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, following months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.

According to a statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, Shodunke had gone underground after a major bust of the cartel in May 2024. The syndicate was previously led by a couple, Bolanle Lookman Dauda and Olayinka Toheebat Dauda, who were arrested along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway while attempting to transport cocaine across the border to Ghana.

At the time of their arrest, NDLEA operatives recovered 47.5 kilograms of cocaine from the couple. A subsequent raid on their residence in Agbara, Ogun State, yielded an additional 10 kilograms, bringing the total seizure from them to 57.5 kilograms.

Babafemi said sustained follow-up sQ3operations later exposed Shodunke as the group’s stash keeper. A search of her Lagos home led to the discovery of the 23.50 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a black suitcase inside her children’s room.

The suspect reportedly admitted ownership of the drugs, which NDLEA estimated to have a street value of over N5 billion.

The agency reaffirmed its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks and bring all individuals involved in the illicit trade to justice.