In a statement issued in
Lagos, spokesman for NDLEA, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell said “The National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is currently interrogating one of its
operatives
over alleged conspiracy to import cocaine from Brazil. The investigation which
commenced after an abandoned luggage from Brazil was found to contain 2.24kg of
cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos had already
led to the arrest of five suspects.
Those being interrogated
include Ali Bala Adamu, a staff of the NDLEA, Ijeoma Ojukwu, a niece to late
politician, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and three others Victor Umeh,
Uche Igwelo and Egbuche Fidelis Osiita.
NDLEA Commander at the
Lagos airport, Mr. Ahmadu Garba said that the cocaine seizure was the first in
the New Year.
According to him, “This is
the first drug seizure for the year. On December 28, 2015, a bag with a tag
bearing Agina Fidelis Ejike was abandoned at the arrival hall during inward
screening of passengers on an Emirates flight. On January 1, 2016, one Egbuche
Fidelis Osita came with authority letter mandating him to collect the bag. In
the process, some white powdery substance weighing 2.24kg that tested positive
for cocaine was discovered. The drug was neatly packed in four parcels
concealed in false bottom of four female handbags. Further investigation led to
more arrests.
Mr. Garba further noted
that preliminary investigation by the NDLEA revealed that Ijeoma Ojukwu, 48,
who owns a restaurant in Brazil, was a suspected member of an international
drug trafficking organization.
“She allegedly conspired
with other suspects to collect the abandoned bag from the airport with the
intent to recover the 2.24kg of cocaine. She was said to have contacted a staff
of the NDLEA, Ali Bala on how to facilitate the collection of the bag at the
airport. The Agency also impounded the Acura MDX vehicle that the suspects
drove to the airport” he added.
The suspect, Ijeoma Ojukwu
said “I have a restaurant in Brazil where I sell African food. I am from
Anambra State and I am married with three children. My brother came from Brazil
and could not find his bag. It was in the process of trying to get the bag out
that we were arrested.”
Also 36 years old Uche
Igwelo, a graduate of Public Administration, said she was invited by Ijeoma to
assist in collecting the bag.
“I sell kitchen utensil and
I am married with a child. Ijeoma met me that I should help her to collect a
bag at the airport. We were trying to get the bag when NDLEA officers arrested
us” Mrs. Igwelo said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Egbuche
Fidelis Osita, a 37-year-old student said he was asked to collect the bag at
the Lagos airport.
“I am a 400 level student
studying English Education at the Ekiti State University. My friend Victor Umeh
was the person that asked me to help in claiming a luggage at the airport. We
all drove to the airport where I was given a letter of authority and other
documents of the passenger that came with the luggage. In the process of trying
to collect the bag I was arrested. This is all I know about this incident,” he
stated.
Speaking on the arrest,
Chairman of the NDLEA, Mrs. Roli Bode-George said the agency would prosecute
whoever was found guilty.
abaniloruko je
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