NDLEA nabs 7 with cocaine in Abuja airport

Shola Adekola, Lagos - 11.02.2008

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested seven suspected drug couriers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, recently.

The agency gave the names of the suspects as Evans Ekhosuhi, 29; with 1.85 kg worth of drug; Okafor Ken, 32; with 1.150 kg worth of drugs; Okoye Emmanuel, 21, one kg worth of drug; and Ms. Kalu Chinyere 43, with 1.150 kg worth of drug.
Others included Aforbike David, 29, Mang Ireke 46, and Nwosu Maduabuchi, 41.

Spokesman for the anti-drug agency, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchel, said they were arrested between January 7 and February 2, while attempting to export drugs from the country through the airport.

Six of the suspects were said to have ingested the drugs, while one packed the drugs on his body. They were all arrested while trying to board KLM flights to their destinations, which included Spain, Switzerland, Turkey Portugal and Rome

The NDLEA commander at the airport, Alhaji Hamza Umar, said the command would secure the airport from such activities by continuous arrest and prosecution of drug culprits.

Umar also said narcotic control was intelligent driven, adding that he was glad that his officers were dedicated and eager to work.

‘‘Drug couriers are very smart and to stop them, you need to be intelligent, meticulous and diligent,” Umar said.

The latest suspect Evans Iyawe Ekhosuhi was nabbed on the February 2, 2008. Evans carefully packed 1.85 kg of cocaine on his body hoping to deliver it in Spain for a fee of 3,000 euro,” he said.