The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives apprehended a 35-year-old woman, Chidinma Chinenye Agbazue, for her involvement in an attempt to smuggle 20 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 10.70 kilograms. The illicit substance was concealed within African salad, commonly known as Abacha, and dried vegetables. The incident occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos state, as she sought to export the drugs to Doha, Qatar.
On Thursday, March 28th, NDLEA officers stationed at the Lagos airport, in collaboration with the Department of State Security, intercepted Chidinma, a departing passenger bound for Doha, Qatar, via Qatar Airways. The interception took place during the routine clearance of passengers at the screening point of Terminal 11 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
Upon preliminary investigation, it was revealed that Chidinma, who had been residing in Qatar, returned to Nigeria for the Christmas celebrations last December. In preparation for her return to Doha, she stayed at Club Dice Hotel in the Ikotun area of Lagos. It was during this time that she was entrusted with the consignment containing illicit substances, destined for trafficking to the Arab country.
On Tuesday, March 26th, NDLEA operatives apprehended two individuals, identified as Monday Okeke and Chigozie Emeka, in separate operations conducted in Oniwaya, Yaba, and the Agege area of Lagos. During the arrests, law enforcement officers recovered a substantial quantity of illicit substances from the suspects. Among the seized items were 842,560 pills of opioids, particularly tramadol, along with 15 liters of codeine syrup and 596 grams of Molly.
Furthermore, it was discovered that Monday Okeke attempted to offer a bribe of N5 million in cash to the NDLEA officers in exchange for leniency. However, the officers steadfastly rejected the bribe, and the money was duly documented as part of the exhibits to be presented during the prosecution of the suspects in court. This resolute action underscores the commitment of the NDLEA in combating drug trafficking and corruption, ensuring that justice is served and the rule of law upheld.
