The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three individuals, including a cleric, for attempting to export drugs to the United Arab Emirates through the NAHCO export shed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, announced that the suspects are High Priest Nnodu Azuka, founder and General Overseer of Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly, Lagos; Udezuka Udoka, a student at Emmanuel College of Theology, Samoda, Ibadan; and their freight agent, Oyoyo Obasi.
Nnodu was detained on Saturday, 11 February, at his church located at No 1, Sabbath Close, Ijesha area, Lagos, after Obasi and Udoka were apprehended earlier on Thursday, 9 February, at the airport. The airport seizure involved 283 parcels of skunk weighing 14.90 kilograms and 204 grams of methamphetamine, which were allegedly concealed in four 25‑litre kegs of palm oil for export to Dubai.
Obasi, who claimed to have recently become a worshipper at Nnodu’s church, implicated the cleric and his son, Chisom Obi—who remains at large—as the individuals who supplied her with the drugs. She alleged that she was forced to take an oath of secrecy and participate in a chicken sacrifice during a church ceremony in which High Priest Nnodu prayed for the success of the transaction. According to the statement, Obasi said the clergyman and his son threatened her to compel participation after learning she knew their secrets, noting that Nnodu referred to the illicit drugs as “Ice” and “Bible” (street names for methamphetamine and cannabis) in their text messages.
The theology student, Udezuka, was introduced to Obasi to assist her because she was new to the illicit trade. He claimed to have been paid N2 million for his role, stating that he accepted the job out of financial need for his education.
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