A suspected smuggler arrested by operatives of
the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
attached to the Murtala Mohammed
International Airport, has told investigators
that he took to drug trafficking to send his
children to school.
The 48-year-old suspect, Chukwuenyem Obi,
was apprehended alongside a mother of seven,
Ifeoma Ezeano and two others Gilbert Kelvin
and Michael Okafor with narcotics weighing
41.6 kilogrammes.
The NDLEA said the street value of the drugs
was N374.6m.
South Africa-based Chukwuenyem said he
smuggled the drug to raise funds for his three
children, who had dropped out from school.
He said, “I struggle to feed my family by
selling foodstuffs.
At present, my capital is so small that the
business is almost moribund.
A friend introduced me to drug trafficking.
He promised to pay me 15,000 South African
rand.
My children are out of school because of my
inability to pay their tuition.
This is my first time of dealing in drugs and I
regret everything.
I pray to be out of this problem.”
Ezeano, who sold foodstuffs in South Africa,
claimed to have been tricked into the crime by
a man he had approached for financial
assistance to expand her business.
She said, “I have seven children and I take
care of them from the sales of foodstuffs.
I came to Nigeria to buy foodstuffs like
melon, vegetables and other local spices.
There is a man in South Africa that I went to
request financial assistance to enable me
expand my business.
He called me that somebody would give me
some food items for him.
When I got to the airport, NDLEA officers
detected methamphetamine in the package
given to me by the man.”
Okafor had 5kg of c*****e concealed inside
silicon sealants on his way from Brazil.
The 44-year-old music producer, who was based
in Asaba, told narcotic investigators that he
had gone to Brazil to promote his music label.
“I am a music producer. I travelled to Brazil
to promote my music. I had a successful
deal but on my way back, I accepted a bag
from a friend I met in Sao Paulo to take to
Nigeria.
When I got here, 29 out of the 34 sealants
were found to contain c*****e. This is a
major setback for my career.”
In his confession, 37-year-old Kelvin said he
was disappointed that the drug he had hidden
inside a solar lamp was discovered.

Sad

Very bad