NDLEA TACKLES DRUG TRAFFICKERS AT ENUGU AIRPORT

PRESS RELEASE

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade has warned drug barons that the Agency will continue to resist the use of Nigeria in drug trafficking. Giade gave the warning following the arrest of two businessmen at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu for allegedly trafficking 11.66kg of cocaine and heroin. The seized drugs have a street value of one hundred and five million (N105,000,000) naira.

 

The Agency noted that since the Enugu airport was upgraded to international status, some drug traffickers are targeting the use of the airport. Several attempts to smuggle drugs from East Africa, Brazil and other parts through the Enugu airport had been foiled by the Agency.

 

According to Giade, “the NDLEA is prepared to arrest drug traffickers and seize their drugs notwithstanding the mode of concealment. These arrests especially the suspect going to East Africa will definitely send a warning signal that the airports are not safe for drug trafficking. We are determined to always be on the alert and this arrest is a test of our vigilance because Bujumbura is not a regular route” Giade stated.

 

The NDLEA commander at the Enugu airport,  Nsikak-Abasi Udoh said that two suspected drug suspects Obuora Christopher Nebe, 38 year-old and  Iheme Promise Onyemauchechukwu, 27 year-old will soon be arraigned at the Federal High Court Enugu. “Obuora was found to have ingested 70 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.685kg on his way to Turkey while Iheme had 9.975kg of heroin hidden inside cosmetics on his journey from Bujumbura, Burundi. They were both arrested during screening of passengers on Ethiopian airline flights”.

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Obuora Christopher Nebe who hails from Uriagwa in Anambra State said that he would have been paid the sum of one million naira. “I sell ladies clothes but for some time my capital had been going down due to poor sales and family problem. A friend introduced me into drug trafficking and I was promised one million naira. That was how I decided to give it a trial. I had wanted to invest the money in my business. I feel sad that I was arrested. It was the one million naira that lured me into drug trafficking” he stated. His route was Enugu, Adis Ababa and Turkey.

 

Iheme Promise Onyemauchechukwu was recruited in Tanzania by a suspected drug cartel in East Africa. Iheme told narcotic investigators that he smuggled drugs because he was stranded. “I used to sell phone accessories before I left the country. I wanted to go to Malaysia in search of job opportunities but I was stranded in Tanzania. That was how I met a Nigerian who gave me money and promised to assist me get back to Nigeria with money to start up my business. He later took me to Burundi where I was given 9.975kg of heroin in my luggage” Iheme who hails from Imo State stated.

 

Ofoyeju Mitchell

Head, Public Affairs

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