A 35-year-old woman, identified as Rabi Muhammad from Côte d’Ivoire, has been arrested at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport after allegedly attempting to smuggle thousands of tramadol capsules out of Nigeria.
According to authorities, the suspect was intercepted on the departure tarmac while preparing to board a flight to Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Officers reportedly became suspicious after observing what appeared to be a pregnancy.
A subsequent full-body search revealed that the protruding belly was fake.
Strapped to her stomach was a pink calabash used to conceal 3,200 capsules of tramadol, which authorities believe were intended for illegal sale in Cotonou.
What initially appeared to be an expectant mother was, investigators say, a carefully orchestrated drug trafficking attempt.
The concealment method, designed to avoid detection, was uncovered before she could leave the country.
Rabi Muhammad has since been taken into custody, and investigations are ongoing.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to tightening surveillance at airports and combating cross-border drug trafficking.
