Hidden in Plain Sight: How NDLEA Tracked a Lagos Mother Who Stashed ₦5bn Cocaine in Her Children’s Room

The arrest of Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat has sent shockwaves through Lagos and beyond, exposing once again the evolving tactics of drug trafficking networks and the unsettling lengths to which suspects may go to evade the law. After a painstaking 20-month manhunt, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) finally closed in on the suspected female drug baron, uncovering a cache of cocaine allegedly hidden in one of the most unlikely and disturbing places imaginable — her children’s room.

According to the NDLEA, Simbiat was apprehended following sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance that spanned nearly two years. The agency disclosed that she had been on its radar since mid-2023, after multiple drug interceptions were traced to a network believed to be operating from Lagos with international connections. Despite repeated attempts to locate and arrest her, the suspect allegedly employed a range of evasive tactics, including changing residences, limiting her movements, and operating through intermediaries, all of which prolonged the manhunt.

The breakthrough reportedly came when NDLEA operatives received fresh intelligence pinpointing her location. Acting swiftly, officers stormed the premises and conducted a thorough search, during which they discovered 23.50 kilograms of cocaine carefully concealed within the children’s room of the house. The illicit substance, with an estimated street value of ₦5 billion, was allegedly packaged in a manner designed to avoid suspicion and delay detection, a tactic NDLEA officials say reflects a calculated attempt to exploit the perceived innocence and privacy associated with family spaces.

In a statement released after the arrest, the NDLEA described the concealment method as “deeply troubling,” noting that criminal elements are increasingly willing to blur moral boundaries in pursuit of profit. Officials emphasized that hiding hard drugs in a children’s room was not only a criminal act but also a reckless endangerment of young lives, regardless of whether the children were aware of the substances or not. The agency stressed that such actions highlight the urgent need for vigilance within communities and households.

The arrest has reignited conversations about the growing role of women in high-level drug trafficking operations, challenging long-held stereotypes that often portray drug barons as exclusively male. NDLEA officials were careful to state that gender does not define criminality, pointing out that women, just like men, can occupy key positions within drug networks. They added that criminal syndicates increasingly exploit social assumptions to reduce suspicion, sometimes using family structures as cover for illicit activities.

Residents in the area where Simbiat was arrested reportedly expressed shock and disbelief, describing her as a quiet individual who kept largely to herself. Some neighbors said they were unaware of any suspicious activities, while others admitted that the arrest had left them questioning how much they truly know about the people living around them. The incident has reinforced concerns about how drug operations can be embedded within ordinary residential neighborhoods, hidden behind seemingly normal family lives.

The NDLEA credited the arrest to persistence, intelligence-driven operations, and inter-agency collaboration. According to the agency, the 20-month pursuit underscores the complexity of dismantling well-organized drug networks, particularly those with access to significant resources. Officials noted that suspects with large financial backing often invest heavily in evasion strategies, including legal maneuvering, false identities, and layered operational structures that make them difficult to track.

In recent years, the NDLEA has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking across Nigeria, recording major seizures and arrests at airports, seaports, highways, and residential areas. The agency has repeatedly warned that traffickers are adopting more sophisticated concealment methods, ranging from body packs and modified luggage to food items and household spaces. The Simbiat case, however, stands out due to the scale of the alleged haul and the location where it was hidden.

NDLEA leadership described the seizure of 23.50kg of cocaine as a significant blow to drug supply chains, noting that such a quantity could have had devastating consequences if it had made its way onto the streets. Cocaine abuse, they said, contributes to a wide range of social problems, including addiction, crime, health complications, and the breakdown of families. By intercepting the drugs before distribution, the agency said it had potentially saved countless lives from harm.

The suspect is expected to face prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law, as investigations continue to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged network. NDLEA officials revealed that efforts are underway to trace the origin and intended destination of the seized cocaine, as well as to uncover any financial trails linked to the operation. They added that no suspect, regardless of status or connections, would be shielded from justice.

Beyond the legal implications, the case has sparked broader public debate about parenting, responsibility, and the moral contradictions involved in using a family environment as a shield for criminal activity. Social commentators have described the incident as a stark reminder that drug trafficking is not a distant or abstract problem, but one that can exist behind closed doors in familiar settings. Many have called for stronger community engagement and awareness to help detect and report suspicious activities early.

The NDLEA used the opportunity to urge Nigerians to remain alert and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing credible information. The agency reiterated that tips from the public often play a crucial role in breaking complex cases, and assured citizens that such information is treated with confidentiality. Officials also warned traffickers that time and patience are on the side of the law, pointing to the Simbiat arrest as proof that evasion only delays, but does not prevent, justice.

As the story continues to unfold, the arrest of Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat stands as one of the most striking drug-related cases in recent times, not only because of the estimated ₦5 billion value of the seized cocaine, but because of where it was hidden. It is a sobering illustration of how far criminal enterprises may go, and a clear signal from the NDLEA that no hiding place, no matter how unexpected, is beyond the reach of sustained investigation.