A London-based fashion designer, Sulikiatu Bisola Animasaun, 25, with 3 kilogrammes of cocaine and Faith Onuoha, 24, with one kilogramme of methamphetamine have been apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Faith Onouha who hid the banned substance in her brassiere and pants was arrested as she wanted to take a local flight to Abuja for an outbound flight to Malaysia. While Miss Animasaun who concealed the hard drugs in packs of chocolates was arrested during screening of passengers on a British Airways flight to London.
A sorber Animashun who holds dual citizenship and has lived in London all her life told investigators that she decided to courier the drugs for the financial perks.
She said: “This is a very big mistake on my part. I hope I will be given the opportunity to right my wrongs. They promised me 3,000 pounds to take the packs of chocolates. Apart from the financial inducement, I should have resisted the temptation. It is a mistake that will never happen again.”
Onuoha who hails from Orlu in Imo State intended to use the proceeds of the drug deal to further her education.
She said: “I am a hair dresser because I have no money to pursue my education. I completed my primary school in 2003 and wanted to use the proceeds from the drug business to further my education.”
The Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, while speaking commended the assistance of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) provided in making the arrests.
Umar said: “I must commend the officials of FAAN for their support and cooperation. Onuoha wanted to take a local flight to Abuja where she will connect another flight to Malaysia but was caught at the local wing of the airport. She packed 750 grammes of methamphetamine in her brazier and inner wear while 250 grammes were also ingested by her. Animasaun was arrested during screening of passengers on a British Airways flight to London.
“Thirty sachets of cocaine weighing 3kg was found inside two chocolates containers in her bag,” Umar said.
NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade said the agency would prevent drug trafficking.
Giade said: “The officials that made the seizures and arrests must sustain their efforts in prompt interception of drugs. Drug traffickers male or female must be stopped from tarnishing the image of our country. I urge members of the public to collaborate with the Agency in tracing drug barons. We must stop them from the criminal trade and promote peaceful coexistence in our country.”
In a related developement which looks funny but bizarre NDLEA officers stopped two men for a routine check at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport recently.
To their surprise, they found both men wearing cocaine-filled pampers.
The men pleaded for forgiveness attributing poverty of all kinds to their actions.
They confessed this is their very first time and vow to never engage in such again.
The suspects, said Giade, will soon be charged to court.