CurrentReport Blog In a shocking development, Emmanuel Orjinze, a 48-year-old businessman and self-proclaimed professional footballer, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja after excreting 111 wraps of cocaine. This dramatic arrest was made by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to Mr. Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA spokesperson, Orjinze was apprehended on Tuesday, May 21, during the outward clearance for Airfrance flight AF 878 bound for Paris. A body scan revealed he had ingested illicit drugs. Over a period of three days in custody, Orjinze excreted 1.603 kilograms of cocaine.
Orjinze, who also claims involvement in the maritime business while scouting for a European football club, faced intense scrutiny after his arrest. This incident underscores the NDLEA’s relentless efforts to curb drug trafficking through Nigerian airports.
NDLEA Dismantles Drug Syndicate at Lagos Airport
In a parallel operation, NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate. Four members of the network were arrested, and a significant seizure of 8 kilograms of methamphetamine and 7.60 kilograms of Loud, a potent synthetic cannabis strain, was made.
The operation began when an airport official was intercepted at the departure hall of Terminal 1 on Tuesday, May 21. A thorough search of his backpack and bag revealed the illicit substances. Subsequent operations in Ajao Estate led to the arrest of Chris Nwadozie and Chinedu Nwaosu. Further investigations culminated in the arrest of another syndicate member within the airport system on Saturday, May 25.
Other Significant NDLEA Operations Across Nigeria
In another significant bust, a freight agent named Sonubi Mariam Abiodun was arrested at the NAHCO export shed of Lagos airport. She attempted to smuggle 2 kilograms of cocaine concealed in paint buckets containing shea butter bound for the United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 22.
Further operations in Lagos resulted in the arrest of Odumegwu Obijofor at Igbo Elerin, Ojo, where he was producing and distributing skuchies, a dangerous mixture of black currant and illicit drugs. NDLEA officers recovered 2,480 liters of the New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) from his factory.
In Cross River state, operatives arrested Ogar Emmanuel with 2.5 kilograms of cannabis at Ukpada Utugwan village. An additional 290 kilograms were seized from a warehouse belonging to a suspect who remains at large.
In Katsina state, three suspects were nabbed at Jabiri Funtua with 70 kilograms of cannabis, while in Abuja, NDLEA operatives conducted raids that led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of 95.01 kilograms of cannabis and various opioids.
Nationwide Advocacy and Commendations
The NDLEA’s advocacy efforts continued with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, targeting schools and communities across Nigeria. These efforts included sensitization lectures in Osun, Oyo, Kaduna, Gombe, Ogun, Anambra, and Edo states.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), praised the agency’s officers for their diligence and commitment. He specifically commended the outstanding achievements of the NAIA, MMIA, FCT, Lagos, Cross River, Katsina, and Edo Commands in the past week, urging them to sustain the momentum in their anti-drug trafficking and advocacy efforts.
