A 32 year-old Lagos based trader
and suspected drug trafficker has died of cocaine ingestion at the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja. The suspect identified as Ndulue Emmanuel
Obiefuna collapsed at the departure hall and was taken to a nearby hospital.
Ndulue was an intending passenger on an Ethiopian airline flight to China
enroute Addis Ababa on July 5, 2015.
NDLEA commander at the Abuja
Airport, Mr Hamisu Lawan said that the suspect confessed to cocaine ingestion
at the hospital. “The deceased collapsed at the departure hall and was being
attended to by Port Health officials. The collapse triggered our suspicion and
a narcotic officer was assigned to monitor the development. When the suspect’s
condition stabilized at the hospital, he confessed to cocaine ingestion. At that
point, the NDLEA took over the case from the Port Health Services. He later
died while receiving treatment” Hamisu stated.
Interim investigation revealed
that the deceased hailed from Anambra State. Until his demise, he was a trader
living in Lagos. It was gathered that the deceased decided to abort his trip
after collecting his boarding pass. This was due to complications arising from the
cocaine he ingested. He collapsed immediately he notified the airline officials
of his intention to cancel his trip. At the hospital, fifty-five (55) wraps of
substances that tested positive for cocaine with a total weight of 1.20kg was
evacuated from his stomach.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the
NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade who described narcotic ingestion as a suicide mission reiterated
his call for a drug-free society. “Ingesting narcotics is a suicide mission. I sympathize
with the family members. Drug trafficking is a serious crime. It is a threat to
public health and safety. The current trend of drug ingestion by drug traffickers
in disregard of the grave health implication must be condemned by all. People must
shun drug trafficking and support the anti-drug campaign. We must collectively intensify
counter-narcotics efforts by talking to at least one person daily on the
dangers of drugs and benefits of a drug-free society” Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss also urged members
of the public to report any suspected drug dealer to the Agency.
The Agency has also contacted the
father of the deceased.
Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs
08034088136
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