The Chairman Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade has called on passengers to be cautious while accepting packages and bags from people as they will be held liable for any breach of the NDLEA Act. Giade gave the charge following the arrest of three agents at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) car pack Lagos over a consignment containing 1.630kg of cannabis meant for export to China.
Giade urged members of the public to learn from the action of the passenger. “This is a good case for others to emulate. The passenger refused to be implicated. If you must accept any package from anybody, invite the NDLEA officers to search it in the presence of the person. This way your action would have shown that you have not conspired with the traffickers” the NDLEA boss stated.
NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Mr Hamza Umar said that three persons were arrested over 1.630kg of cannabis. He gave the names of the suspect as Peter Madunatum, 38, Stanley Chimezie, 23, and Nlemoha Collins Chijioke, 34.
According to Hamza, “Peter Madunatum and Stanley Chimezie were arrested when they gave a package containing 600 grammes to a passenger at the car pack. The passenger insisted on complete search before accepting the package. In the process, he discovered a parcel of cannabis and the agents took to their heels. They were however apprehended with the assistance of some police men at the car pack”.
Hamza who thanked the police officers for their prompt response added that the third suspect Nlemoha Collins Chijioke was caught with 1.030kg of cannabis hidden inside a bag containing garri.
In his statement, Nlemoha told investigators that he accepted the consignment because he had confidence on his colleague. “I am a clearing agent at the Lagos airport. I collected a package from my colleague because I know him as a fellow clearing agent. It was during search that the drug was detected and I was arrested” Nlemoha stated. He lives in Lagos and married with a child.
Perter Madunatum explained how he was arrested by NDLEA officers. “I gave a package to a passenger at the car pack. He insisted in searching it and he discovered the drug. I wanted to run away with my partner when the police at the car pack arrested us and handed us over to the NDLEA” Peter stated. He is married with three children. Stanley who is single was also apprehended for conspiring with Peter.
Via: NDLEA Press Release
Nigeria's engagement in drugs is on the increase nowadays and it's very sad. We have to really do away with it to do away with crime.