The deteriorating health condition of a suspected cocaine trafficker forced an Emirates flight from Brazil to UAE to make an emergency landing in Lagos.
An Emirates flight EK 262 from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Dubai, United Arab Emirates made an emergency landing in Lagos at the weekend due to the deteriorating health condition of a suspected cocaine trafficker.
Screening by anti-narcotic officials found four passengers positive for drug ingestion, who are currently under interrogation.
One of the suspects in critical health condition was immediately hospitalized even as doctors were making spirited efforts to save his life.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.), who said that the suspect is responding to treatment called for stiffer penalty against drug trafficking.
NDLEA commander at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, Mr. Ahmadu Garba said that the Emirates flight left Sao Paulo, Brazil to Dubai but was forced to come to Lagos due to the health condition of a passenger on board who ingested cocaine.
“A passenger complained of severe abdominal pains and later suffered three recurrent seizures thus necessitating an emergency landing in Lagos.
"Upon arrival, four passengers tested positive for narcotic ingestion. They are Okeh Desmond, Ezeanya Nnaemeka, Christopher Nonso and Chibusi Promise. All the suspects are under observation,” Garba stated.
Recall that the NDLEA has been beaming its searchlight on flights originating from Brazil and Dubai in recent times because of their notoriety in cocaine trafficking.