Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested three customs licensed clearing and forwarding agents and a motorcycle parts dealer. The suspects are being interrogated in connection with three shipments of methamphetamine meant for export to Malaysia on an Ethiopian Airways flight at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The drug weighing 70.4kg has an estimated street value of 352 million naira.
The names of the three agents released by the NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, are Adewuyi Segun, 45 years, Atebata Godwin, 27 years and Akpaida Kareem Ajayi, 33 years. In addition, a 36 year old motorcycle parts dealer at Nnewi, Anambra State by name Ukpabi Paul, was also arrested.
According to Hamza, “the methamphetamine consignments include 32.7kg brought by Adewuyi Segun, 20kg brought by Ukpabi Paul and Akpaida Kareem Ajayi as well as 17.7kg brought by Atebata Godwin. All the suspects are cooperating with investigators”.
Ukpabi Paul who hails from Imo State sells motorcycle parts at Nnewi. He appealed for mercy stating that he is a first time offender. In his words, “I am married with three children. My role was to give the drug to a clearing agent by name Akpaida Kareem Ajayi. Please, be merciful on me, it is my first time”.
Akpaida Kareem Ajayi in his statement blamed his involvement on greed and desire to make quick money. “I have myself to blame because they paid me 500,000 naira to send the shipment. I agreed to participate in the illegal deal because of the half a million naira that I was offered” Akpaida stated. Akpaida Kareem and Atebata Godwin are from Edo State while Adewuyi Segun hails from Oyo State.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that those who engage in criminal acts should expect the Day of Judgment. “It is sad that these customs licensed agents have acted contrary to the NDLEA Act in pursuit of selfish and criminal interest. The Agency will continue to make drug trafficking unattractive. Our objective is to prevent drug syndicates from enjoying the financial incentives of the criminal trade. All four suspects will soon be charged to court” Giade assured.
