Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Brazil-based businessman, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, for allegedly importing 6.10 kilogrammes of liquid cocaine concealed in shirts and towels into Nigeria.
The 41-year-old suspect was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on June 11 upon arrival from São Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
According to NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, a search of his luggage revealed 14 shirts and towels soaked in liquid cocaine, which had been dried and neatly ironed to disguise the substance. Babafemi stated that the suspect claimed he had lived in Brazil for over 14 years, where he runs an African restaurant, and said he travelled to Nigeria to visit his wife and purchase foodstuffs in bulk for his business.
In a related operation, the agency arrested a 60-year-old woman, Chidimma Sunday, and a 28-year-old man, Abubakar Usman, both persons living with disabilities, over alleged drug trafficking offences in Abia and Rivers States. Chidimma was caught with 1.8kg of skunk in Umuna Autonomous Community, Isialangwa North LGA of Abia State, after being apprehended by members of the Umuosu Vigilante Group and handed over to NDLEA operatives on June 10. Usman was arrested in Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with skunk, methamphetamine, tramadol, swinol and diazepam.
The NDLEA also recorded major nationwide seizures, including 304kg of skunk in Kwara State, 1,121.5kg of cannabis recovered from a warehouse in Taraba State, and 1,102kg of “Ghana Loud” intercepted around Alaba International Market in Lagos.
Commending the operatives, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised officers across MMIA, Abia, Rivers, Kano, Kwara, Delta, Gombe, Lagos and FCT Commands for their coordinated operations. He noted that the successes in drug supply reduction were being complemented by ongoing drug demand reduction and sensitisation efforts, urging personnel to sustain and surpass their achievements.
