A significant crackdown on drug trafficking has been undertaken by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria, with two major arrests made in recent weeks. The first arrest involved a 44-year-old businessman, Ezemokwe Chukwuebuka, who was caught ingesting 53 wraps of cocaine at the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) on June 7. Chukwuebuka was attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Tehran, Iran, when a body scan revealed the presence of illicit drugs. He was subsequently placed under observation and expelled 53 wraps of cocaine in six excretions, totaling 1.172kg.
According to NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Chukwuebuka claimed to have been involved in the criminal trade for two years, operating between the West African sub-region and Iran. This arrest came just two weeks after another significant bust, in which a 60-year-old businessman, Chinedu Okigbo, was intercepted with 65 pellets of cocaine in his stomach at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano.
In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos intercepted an Italy-bound passenger, Edobor Ambrose, on an Air France flight on June 14. A thorough search of Ambrose’s baggage revealed 14,410 pills of tramadol, concealed in winter jackets. The suspect allegedly admitted to being hired and sent on an all-expense-paid trip to Nigeria to courier the drug consignments to Milan, Italy, for a fee of 2000 Euros.
The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the officers and men involved in the arrests and seizures, praising their efforts in pursuing a fair balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction. These arrests demonstrate the agency’s commitment to combating the illicit drug trade and highlight the importance of international cooperation in tackling this global issue. The NDLEA’s efforts serve as a testament to the country’s dedication to reducing the availability and accessibility of illicit substances, ultimately contributing to a safer and healthier global community.
