The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a 38 –year-old mother of two, Mrs. Obudike Faith Ndidiamaka, with narcotics at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.
The suspect was arrested during the outward screening of passengers on Kenyan Airways flight to China. She was found with 1.155kgs of cannabis hidden in melon.
Chief Executive Officer, CEO, NDLEA, Mr. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, who condemned her action, said the agency needed fund to embark on aggressive anti-drug public enlightenment. Abdallah decried that while government was worried over the number of Nigerians on death row in other countries, a mother of two children was still smuggling drugs to China where drug trafficking is punishable by death. He noted that her arrest had saved the country from embarrassment, adding that it has equally prevented her family from the pain of losing a loved one under the circumstance. He insisted that the antinarcotic agency would not relent in saving lives and promoting the image of Nigeria.
Abdallah said that most Nigerians in foreign prisons for drug trafficking did not depart Nigeria with narcotics.
He said: “Most Nigerians who are in foreign prisons for drug trafficking did not take drugs from Nigeria. Some others were lured with fake promises of job opportunities by members of drug trafficking organisations only to find themselves stranded and vulnerable to drug trafficking.
“Those travelling abroad in search of greener pastures must have made adequate preparation for the period they will stay and also possess requisite technical skills. We are planning elaborate public sensitisation campaign to address this challenge.”
NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Ahmadu Garba, said the suspect, Obidike concealed the drugs in melon and food stuff. “She was caught while travelling to China with 1.155kg of compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis. Investigation into the case is in progress and she will soon be charged to court,” Ahmadu stated. The suspect who lives in Onitsha confessed that that she was contracted by her social media friend to smuggle the drugs to China. “I am a trader. I used to travel to China to buy my goods since 2014. My WhatsApp friend asked me to buy the drug and take to China. He promised to give me a handsome reward when I get to China. Unfortunately, the drug was detected during search at the Lagos airport. I am married with two children” Obudike who hails from Imo State stated.
