NDLEA Nabs Ex-International Footballer, 4 Others Over 22.6kg Drug Seizures at Lagos, Enugu Airports
…Arrests 72-year-old Grandma, Beninese National in Lagos, Delta, Kwara Raids
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against drug trafficking, arresting a former international footballer, a Europe-based logistics operator, and three others over separate attempts to smuggle cocaine, methamphetamine, and tramadol into and out of Nigeria.
According to a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, arrested former Nigerian international footballer, Segun George Hunkarin, and his associate, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, over a foiled attempt to smuggle 800 grammes of cocaine into the country.
Chinedu, a known frequent flyer involved in trade between Nigeria and Turkey, was apprehended upon arrival at MMIA on Tuesday, 24th June, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
A search of his carry-on bag led to the discovery of 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800g. Investigations revealed he had picked up the package during transit through Addis Ababa.
Further intelligence led to the arrest of his accomplice, Hunkarin, who was waiting at the airport car park to collect the illicit consignment. The ex-footballer, who once played professionally in Brazil, confessed to previously trafficking drugs from Brazil to Ethiopia, but claimed this was his first attempt involving Nigeria.
In a separate operation on Friday, 27th June, another Europe-based businessman, Amen Okoro Godstime, was intercepted at the Lagos airport while attempting to smuggle 5,000 pills of tramadol 225mg disguised as anti-malaria medications including Lonart, Amatem, and Aluktem.
The drugs were intended for onward shipment to Italy via Spain and France. Okoro, who operates a freight business between Europe and Nigeria, was arrested at Terminal 2 of the airport during outward clearance for a Royal Air Maroc flight to Spain via Casablanca.
At Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu, two significant arrests were also made on Friday, 27th June. A Maputo-based bar attendant, Ezenwaka Chibuzor Emmanuel (38), was apprehended with 17 parcels of methamphetamine weighing 17.5kg and 3 parcels of cocaine weighing 3.05kg, all concealed in bedsheets in his luggage. He had arrived from Johannesburg via Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
Another passenger on the same flight, Azu Follygan Kpodar (54), who had travelled from São Paulo, Brazil, was arrested with 1.25kg of liquid cocaine cleverly disguised in a plastic soap container branded “YPE.” The toy vendor claimed to have purchased the substance while shopping for his wedding in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, at Seme border in Badagry, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 26-year-old Beninese national, Vode Jean-Luck, on Tuesday, 24th June, attempting to smuggle 29.5kg of skunk – a potent strain of cannabis – concealed in 69 balls from Benin Republic into Nigeria.
In Kwara State, notorious drug dealer Mary Bolanle Oladele, popularly known as Iya Nafi, was arrested during a raid on her base in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area. A range of controlled substances including skunk, tramadol, and flunitrazepam were recovered.
Similarly, in Warri, Delta State, a 72-year-old grandmother, Mrs Christy Ejaro, was arrested on Tuesday, 24th June, at the Niger CAT area. NDLEA officers recovered several retail-sized sachets of skunk from her premises.
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy continued nationwide during the week. Sensitisation lectures were delivered to students and staff in various schools including Yakubawa Model Primary School, Katsina; Police Secondary School, Igboora, Oyo; Mater Dei College, Enugu; and Community Girls Secondary School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa, among others.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the dedication of officers across the MMIA, AIIA, Delta, Kwara, and Seme Commands. He also praised their continued efforts in maintaining the balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction nationwide.
“These successes are a testament to the tireless commitment of our operatives and the effectiveness of our strategies in safeguarding the country from the scourge of illicit drug trafficking,” Marwa said.
