Cocaine suspects on the run...re-arrested

as Giade commends officers bravery, ingenuity

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade has commended officers for the bravery displayed in preventing an accused from escaping through the lagoon at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos on Wednesday. 

The NDLEA boss also expressed satisfaction with the discovery of 8.09kg of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis concealed inside packs of noodles and 1.05kg of whitish substance that tested positive for methamphetamine hidden inside female hair attachment.

“The gallantry and courage of the officer who re-arrested and prevented an accused from escaping through the waterside is laudable. I also thanked the court security official who apprehended the second accused person. Similarly, the ingenuity of officers that led to the discovery of narcotics hidden inside noodles and hair attachment is equally praise worthy. These notable acts attest to the enthusiasm and commitment of officers in getting results even when the situation appears daunting. The Agency will continue to motivate officers by rewarding outstanding performance” Giade stated.

Enitan Ibrahim and Kehinde Ogunmola were said to have been arraigned before Justice Musa Kurya over alleged illicit dealing in narcotics. Both accused however took to their heels at the court registry while their remand documents were being signed. An operative of the NDLEA, Chief Narcotic Agent (CNA), Gila Moses chased and caught one of the accused who wanted to escape through the waterside while the other was apprehended by court security personnel. The accused said that they became scared when a drug convict was sentenced to ten years.  

Officials of the Agency at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos also made spectacular seizures during pre-shipment screening at the cargo section of the airport. Cannabis hidden in noodles meant for export to London and methamphetamine found in hair attachment meant for export to South Africa were intercepted. Two suspects are currently being interrogated by NDLEA investigators in connection with the seizures.

NDLEA commander at the Airport, Mr Hamza Umar said that a refrigerator technician and a trader had been apprehended. According to Hamza, “a 47 year old refrigerator technician, Quadri Aregbesola, was caught with 8.09kg of dried cannabis while a 40-year-old trader, Nzubeka Emmanuel was found with 1.05kg of methamphetamine”.

Quadri who described his ordeal as occupational hazard said that his profit was 6,000 naira. “I am a refrigerator technician and I am also into courier business. My profit in this consignment that landed me in problem is just 6,000 naira. I feel so sad that the consignment of foodstuff was given to me by a friend. It was during search that hemp was found in some packs of the noodles. This is one of the hazards of the job” Quadri stated. He is married with five children and hails from Lagos State.

Nzubeka who sells shoes at trade fair complex Lagos in his statement said that the consignment of drugs was given to him by his friend in South Africa. “My friend in South Africa sent 200,000 naira to me to buy female hair attachment and send to him. He also asked me to send a package of attachment which he could not carry the last time he traveled due to excess luggage. Unfortunately, when I got to the airport, drug was found inside the other package of attachment which he asked me to add to the ones I bought” Nzubeka stated. He is married with a child and hails from Anambra State.