Theophile, who described himself as a computer merchant, was arrested in possession of 16.09kg of cocaine on arrival from Brazil. According to NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the suspect was arrested at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA) Lagos State, during the inward screening of Etihad passengers.
“The drug was concealed in 15 hand bags, inside his luggage. The estimated street value of the seized drug is N150 million,” said Ofoyeju. Theophile said he was not there when the cocaine was packed by the drug barons, but he had tried to locate where it was concealed in the bags, but failed. He said he was however shocked to reach MMIA and operatives swarm all over him like ants over sugar.
The suspect, a father of two, said that he was given 6,000 dollars to bring the drug into Nigeria. Theophile added: “I sell computer accessories at Onitsha. I needed money to pay my bills and there was no help. I agreed to bring the drug into Nigeria for the sum of 6,000 dollars. I did not even see the drug until it was detected by the NDLEA officers at the Lagos airport.
They gave me the small bags in Brazil that it contained drugs but it was packed in such a way that you have to cut it open to see the cocaine. But immediately the NDLEA officers saw me, they stopped me. They found the cocaine!”
According to NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Hamza Umar, “The suspect came into the country with a Cameroonian passport with the name, Nana Njamen Theophile. Investigation later revealed that he hails from Anambra State with the name Okafor Gods-will. The case is currently under investigation.” Chairman of the NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade who expressed satisfaction with the arrest, attributed it to improved security checks. He said: “This arrest is an indication that Nigeria-Brazil route is not safe for drug traffickers. I am happy with the arrest considering the worth of the drugs.
This is a double victory for the Agency because we have the drug and the suspect. The suspect will soon be prosecuted.”
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