Chigbogu Ernest Obiora, a 47-year-old drug trafficker, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, The PUNCH reports.
The Spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said on Friday that Obiora was subsequently put under observation during which he excreted 97 wraps of cocaine with a total weight of 1.55 kilogrammes with a street value of N360 million.
“He was arrested about 1:16pm on Sunday, April 25, 2021, during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline. He had arrived Lagos onboard the airline from Entebbe, Uganda via Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia,” Babafemi said.
The Commander of the NDLEA at the airport, Ahmadu Garba said, Obiora was intercepted in the E-arrival hall of the airport by the operatives of the agency on the suspicion that he ingested drug substance.
He said, “The suspect was taken for body machine scan and the result was positive for ingestion of substance suspected to be an illicit drug. The suspect was promptly moved to the NDLEA excretion/observation facility.”
Barely an hour after he was arrested, Obiora was said to have excreted 31 wraps of cocaine weighing 500grammes and another 47 wraps (750 grammes) in the evening of same day while 19 wraps (300 grammes) were excreted the following day, Monday, April 26, bringing the total to 97 wraps, that is, 1.55kg.
Babafemi said under interrogation, Obiora claimed he was promised $1,500 if he successfully trafficked the drugs, adding that he opted for the ‘deal’ because he needed money.
“I did it so that I will be capable of feeding my family. I was living in Madagascar but due to the COVID-19 and the lockdown in the country, I couldn’t go back to my place of work.
“There was a time I started lacking money to feed my family and to pay my children’s school fees and the worst part of it is to pay my rent. So, I decided to take the option to do it,” he said.
Obiora reportedly said he never knew he could be arrested while stating that he has never met the real owner of the drug.
“I don’t know him, they contacted me on phone and asked if I can do the business,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, in continuation of efforts to dismantle all drug spots, the Ondo State Command of the NDLEA has raided two joints, arrested two dealers, and seized 80.2 kilogrammes of skuchies, while four hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed in the Eleyewo area of Akure south local government.
The acting commander of the agency in the state, Callys Alumona said a lady, 31-year-old Ibukunoluwa Kemi, and a 25-year-old young man, Oluwaseun Sunday were arrested with 78kg and 2.2kg of skuchies respectively.
