Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA have apprehended five people including one Ijeoma Ojukwu, a niece to late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in relation to drug trafficking.
The suspects
A lady identified as Ijeoma Ojukwu, a niece to late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and three others namely Victor Umeh, Uche Igwelo and Egbuche Fidelis Osiita have been nabbed by NDLEA officials over the trafficking of 2.24kg of substance believed to be cocaine from Brazil.
Also being investigated is a staff of NDLEA. NDLEA officials believe that 48 year old Ijeoma who runs a restaurant in Brazil is believed to be a member of an international drug syndicate.
Speaking on the arrest, the agency’s commander at the airport, Ahmadu Garba said a luggage tagged for Agina Fidelis Ejike, was abandoned at the arrival hall during inward screening of passengers on an Emirates flight on December 28.
“On January 1, 2016, one Egbuche Fidelis Osita came with authority letter mandating him to collect the bag. In the process, some white powdery substance weighing 2.24kg that tested positive for cocaine was discovered. The drug was neatly packed in four parcels concealed in false bottom of four female handbags.”
The suspect, Ijeoma Ojukwu said “I have a restaurant in Brazil where I sell African food. I am from Anambra State and I am married with three children. My brother came from Brazil and could not find his bag. It was in the process of trying to get the bag out that we were arrested.”
Ijeoma Ojukwu
Uche Igwelo, 36, a public administration graduate, said she was invited by Ijeoma to assist in collecting the bag.
“I sell kitchen utensil and I am married with a child. Ijeoma met me that I should help him to collect a bag at the airport. We were trying to get the bag when NDLEA officers arrested us,” Uche, an Anambra native told investigators, according to an official statement from NDLEA.
Egbuche Fidelis Osita, a 37-year-old student said that he was asked to collect the bag. “I am a 400 level student studying English Education at the Ekiti State University. My friend Victor Umeh was the person that asked me to help in claiming a luggage at the airport."
"We all drove to the airport where I was given a letter of authority and other documents of the passenger that came with the luggage. In the process of trying to collect the bag I was arrested. This is all I know about this incident,” Osita added.
Speaking on the arrest, Chairman of the NDLEA, Mrs. Roli Bode-George said the agency would prosecute whoever was found guilty.
“The NDLEA is following every lead professionally and will exploit more opportunities towards getting every culprit arrested. We have also expanded the scope of our investigation and everyone involved in this illegal importation of narcotics shall be diligently prosecuted. The Agency will continue to uphold the rule of law and dislodge drug trafficking organisations in the country” Mrs. Roli stated.