The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, NAHCO, has explained how it first detected the theft and arrested the suspect, Mr Sunday Adakole, who was recently convicted by the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The Company how it handed him over to the relevant authorities and how the decisive action ensured that the case was thoroughly investigated and eventually prosecuted.
Adakole, a former staff member, was accused of stealing and trafficking twenty-five kilogrammes of Ephedrine Hydrochloride. The substance is prohibited because of its similarity to cocaine and heroin. NAHCO emphasised that the item was part of a legally imported consignment belonging to a reputable pharmaceutical firm, Vitabiotics Nigeria Limited. It stated that the shipment was securely stored in its Dangerous Goods section pending Customs clearance and formal release to the importer.
In its official statement issued on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, the Company disclosed that NAHCO Security Officers arrested Mr Adakole on 28 July 2025 after an internal alert reported the disappearance of one drum of the regulated substance. The immediate response by NAHCO was driven by its internal procedure for theft incidents. The suspect was then handed over to the NAHCO Police Division under the Airport Police Command for further investigation.
The Company noted that the warehouse where the consignment was kept is equipped with advanced surveillance systems. After receiving the initial report, NAHCO security personnel retrieved and reviewed footage from the ultra-modern CCTV network. The video evidence showed that the missing drum was moved by Adakole, which confirmed the suspicion of theft. Once this was established, the suspect was promptly apprehended within the premises.
However, as the investigation progressed, NAHCO realised that the matter involved a controlled substance. Therefore, the Company formally requested that the case be transferred from the Police to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. This request was made through a letter to the NDLEA Strategic Commander at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal on 25 August 2025. A similar update was also forwarded to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in a letter dated 28 August 2025.
The General Manager, External Relations, NAHCO Plc, Mr Ahmed Bashir Gulmah, explained that the Company acted responsibly at every stage. He noted that the matter was first treated as a case of internal theft before NAHCO discovered that it involved a drug-related consignment. Once this became clear, the Company ensured that the appropriate enforcement agency took over.
Gulmah also clarified misinformation circulating in earlier media reports. He stated that Adakole was never a Manager nor close to managerial rank. According to him, the former staff member was a junior employee who had not yet attained the level of an Officer in NAHCO. He added that the arrest was carried out strictly because the suspect stole a legally imported item kept in the warehouse. The case had no connection with attempts to import or export prohibited substances.
He stressed that the decisive actions taken by NAHCO showed the organisation’s commitment to transparency and compliance with national regulations. He praised the NDLEA for concluding the prosecution swiftly and reaffirmed that NAHCO maintains strong collaboration with agencies responsible for safety and enforcement at the nation’s airports.
The Company also expressed concern that some reports on the matter were published without confirming details with NAHCO. Gulmah urged journalists to seek clarification in future to ensure accuracy and prevent misrepresentation.
The Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications, NAHCO, Mr Tayo Ajakaye, provided further context. He said that despite the sensational nature of some headlines, the facts remained unchanged. The consignment was legally imported by Vitabiotics. It was stored in a secure section of the NAHCO warehouse designed for such sensitive goods. An unscrupulous junior staff member gained access, stole the drum, and attempted to sell it locally.
He noted that NAHCO acted immediately by arresting the suspect and handing him to law enforcement. The authorities carried out their investigation, prosecuted him, and secured a conviction on 2 December 2025. Ajakaye added that the prosecuting agency commended NAHCO for escalating the matter and supporting the investigation from start to finish.
