Matthew Obisesan, 63, and two others were arrested by law enforcement agents at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja for allegedly trafficking in hard drugs.
CRIME DIGEST learnt that Obisesan allegedly tested positive to drug ingestion during the outward clearance of passengers on a British Airways flight to Heathrow airport in London.
Obisesan, whose real name is Yusuf Yakub, claimed he was lured into the drug trade with a promise of N700,000, which he could not resist. “I have three wives and many children. My business is also not doing well. I need money to take care of my family, hence I decided to smuggle the drugs for a fee of N700, 000, but I regret my action now,” he allegedly told his interrogators.
Two other suspected drug traffickers, Amaso Arovo, 44, and Sade Aminu, 40, were arrested after they were found in possession of 1.50kg and 1.05kg of cocaine respectively.
Aminu said it was her first time to peddle hard drugs. She said, “I am a trader. I was lured into drug trafficking. This is my first time. I have never smuggled drugs in my life. They promised to pay me £4,000.”
The Abuja Airport Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, confirmed the arrests, adding that all the suspects were detected with the aid of scanning machines.
He said that the only female suspect, Aminu, caused a stir by refusing to go through the scanning machine on the grounds of pregnancy.
He said, “The arrests were made possible by the body scanning machine during screening of passengers at the central screening area. Sade refused to go through the scan during screening.
“She insisted that she was pregnant and that the scan would harm her unborn baby. However, while she was under observation, she excreted wraps of cocaine weighing 1.05kg. When eventually she was made to undergo a pregnancy test, the result was negative.
“Preliminary investigation shows that (Matthew Olabanji) Obisesan, whose real name is Yusuf Yakub, is a resident of Kwara State but lives in Ibadan. (Arovo Moses) Amaso was on his way to Madrid through London Heathrow on the same British Airways flight with Obisesan.
“Alhaja (Aminu Modinat) Sade, a divorcee and the only female was however arrested on her way to London through Frankfurt on a Lufthansa flight LH 563. All the suspects have owned up to the crime and are cooperating with team of investigators.”
Chairman/Chief Executive of the anti-drug agency, Ahmadu Giade, expressed concern over the state of moral corruption exhibited by the suspects and warned drug traffickers to prepare for arrest and prosecution.
Giade said, “The suspects’ level of depravity is worrisome. In particular, the case of the grandfather calls for a mass action against drug cartels. The agency has functional scanners at all the international airports in the country and is determined to stop drug traffickers. Drug barons that are planning to smuggle drugs must therefore prepare for arrest and prosecution. The battle line is long drawn and we shall continue to arrest them.”
The NDLEA boss called on members of the public to report suspected cases of drug trafficking to the agency. While calling for more public support, Giade gave assurance that the agency would always respond speedily to information received. All the suspects will soon be arraigned in court.