Despite the fierce fight against narcotics and hard drugs peddling in the country, dealing on it has continued, just as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has continued to apply stringent measures in containing the illicit drug market.
The agency yesterday arrested two suspected drug traffickers with 5.1kg of cocaine at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
In the same vein, the agency also destroyed 1.6 tonnes of hard drugs in Akwa Ibom based on a court order.
The Head, Public Affairs of NDLEA, Ofoyeju Mitchell, while explaining the arrest in Enugu, said the suspects were trying to smuggle the substance into the country before they were intercepted during the inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight.
The drugs were concealed in handbags and document folders.
Mitchell said two arrests had been made in connection with the seizure.
The NDLEA Commander at the Enugu Airport, Nsikak-Abasi Udoh, gave the names of the suspects as Okoye Ikechukwu Matthew with passport number A04483481 and Dominic Junior Igwe with passport number A02375991.
Matthew, 34, who works as a security guard in South Africa, told officials that he brought the drug for his friend.
“I work as a security guard in South Africa. It was my friend in Nigeria that requested for the drug. My role was to bring it and he will reward me. It happened that I was arrested by NDLEA. I feel bad and pray that I will soon be out of this problem,” Matthew stated.
He hails from Ezeagu in Enugu State.
Igwe, 29, who is a trader, said he got involved in drug trafficking because he needed money.
“I am a trader but I am unable to pay my rent. My capital has dwindled over the years to the extent that I am in debts. I was sponsored to Sao-Paulo, Brazil to bring cocaine. I regret my involvement,” Igwe stated. He hails from Ebonyi State.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, in a statement, directed the Enugu Airport Command to tighten security checks at the airport.
“This arrest and seizure is a welcome development, because we must eradicate illicit drugs from our country. I want the commander to intensify security checks and ensure the interception of narcotics at the Enugu Airport,” Giade said.
But while the suspects were being arrested in Enugu, some hard drugs of narcotic class weighing over 1,611.6351kg were publicly destroyed by the agency in Akwa Ibom State based on a court order.
The illicit drugs, which mostly consisted of cocaine and heroin weighing about 1.6 tonnes, were burnt at Nung Eton area of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, under the watchful eye of the state Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe.
The drugs destroyed included Cannabis Sativa a.k.a Indian hemp (1,588.87kg); cocaine (0.1128kg plus 317) pinches; heroin (0.0523kg plus 354 pinches and two ties) and psychotropic substance (22.6kg).
Speaking at the occasion, the deputy governor said the destruction of narcotic drugs in the country would promote peace and security hence, the need for NDLEA to intensify effort on its activity.
“This event is good for our country, especially as we are appreciating the general election in 2015. I commend the agency for seizing these drugs from drug traffickers in the state.
“I also want them to conduct similar burning of drugs across the country because we need a peaceful and healthy society to sustain an enduring democratic structure,” she said.
Giade, who was represented by the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Mr. Sunday Joseph, said the public drug destruction was a strategic plan to reduce crime and violence in the society.
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