Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Uche Franklin Onyekwere, a Nigeria-based businessman residing in Brazil, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for allegedly concealing cocaine in his body and shoes.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Onyekwere, 47, was apprehended on Thursday after arriving on a South African Airways flight from Brazil via Johannesburg, following intelligence-led operations.
A full-body scan and subsequent strip search revealed three large wraps of cocaine, weighing a total of 1.60 kilograms. One parcel was strapped around his right thigh, while two others were hidden in the soles of his shoes.
During a preliminary interview, the suspect admitted purchasing the drugs in Brazil with plans to resell them in Nigeria to raise business capital and fund the naming ceremony of his newborn child. Babafemi noted that Onyekwere has lived in São Paulo since 2008 and has operated a toy business for approximately nine years.
In related operations, NDLEA seized 1,183 kilograms of Canadian Loud cannabis hidden in two vehicles at Lagos’ Tincan seaport. The consignment, imported from Montreal, Canada, was discovered during a joint inspection with Customs and other security agencies.
Other recent NDLEA operations include:
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Niger State: Three men—Andy Chidogu, 49; Kenneth Ogene, 45; and Sadiq Olanrewaju, 27—were arrested on 26 January along the Dei-Dei Abuja Expressway for transporting 2,735 kilograms of skunk cannabis and 1 kilogram of synthetic cannabis (Colorado). Investigations revealed the truck initially carried 800 bags of flour from Lagos to Ekpoma, Edo State, before loading the illicit drugs for N1.7 million.
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Edo State: On 27 January, Shaibu Yusuf was arrested while seeking a vehicle to transport 792 kilograms of skunk hidden in charcoal bags. The following day, NDLEA, with Nigerian Army support, raided a cannabis farm in Ebora Camp, Ilushi, destroying 4,063.675 kilograms of skunk over 1.6 hectares and recovering 328 kilograms of processed cannabis and seeds. Suspects included Jeremiah Nwodeh, 46; Chukwudi Pius, 33; Pius Ogaba, 46; and Onora Kwene, 35.
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Anambra State: NDLEA intercepted a cement truck at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, concealing 345.2 kilograms of skunk. Abum Okeke, 42, along with two others, was arrested.
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Ondo State: Tunde Ogundele, 39, and Soji Elegbelye, 46, were apprehended on 26 January at Eleyewo, Akure North, with 473 kilograms of skunk.
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Kano State: Abdullahi Usman, 45, was arrested with 12,500 ampoules of pentazocine injections. Musa Shuaibu, 42, was detained with 4,390 tramadol pills.
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Lagos/Anambra/Benin Republic: Oragwan Ekene was caught on 30 January at Okeyson Park, Alaba, with 15.5 kilograms of skunk destined for Onitsha, while Omang Peter Edward was apprehended at the Seme border on 27 January with 3.5 kilograms of skunk hidden in luggage and sound system equipment.
The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to combating drug trafficking and abuse across the country.
How can Nigeria effectively tackle drug trafficking and curb substance abuse? Share your views in the comments.
