Former Beauty Queen Aderinoye Surrenders to NDLEA After Eight Months on the Run

Aderinoye Queen Christmas, also known as Queen Oluwadamilola Aderinoye, a former beauty queen, has surrendered to the Lagos State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after being on the run for approximately eight months. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed on Sunday, September 1, 2024, that Aderinoye turned herself in on August 28.

Aderinoye, who was crowned Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Culture in 2015/2016 and is the founder of the Queen Christmas Foundation, had been evading arrest since January 2024. She fled her residence in the Lekki area of Lagos during a raid by NDLEA operatives, who were investigating her alleged involvement in illicit drug activities.

During the January raid, NDLEA officials recovered 606 grams of Canadian Loud (a synthetic strain of cannabis), an electronic weighing scale, extensive drug packaging materials, and a black RAV 4 SUV, among other items. Aderinoye had reportedly been hiding in Akure, Ondo State, since her escape.

In related operations, NDLEA agents seized a total of 1,122 kilograms of cannabis from a suspect named Mustapha Ibrahim along Orchid Road in Ajah, Lagos State, on August 26. Additionally, 816 kilograms of cannabis belonging to another suspect, who remains at large, were recovered from the same location.

NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the agency’s operatives for their diligence and professionalism. He commended their ongoing efforts in drug demand and supply reduction across the country.