Happenings

NDLEA Thwarts Desperate Couple’s Drug Smuggling Attempt at Lagos Airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully apprehended a man and woman, who disguised themselves as a married couple, attempting to smuggle drugs. The accused individuals, who initially identified themselves as Onyebuchi Ilonzeh and Nonyelum Ilonzeh, purportedly set out for medical treatment in India.

However, upon closer inspection, they were found to be carrying a shocking 184 wraps of cocaine weighing 3.322Kg. An additional 100 grams of the substance were concealed in the woman’s private area. This daring operation was exposed when the duo was intercepted at Screening Point 1, Terminal 1 of the international wing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Their intended destination was an Ethiopian airline flight to India.

According to Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for NDLEA, the alleged couple’s travel documents showed consistent names, portraying them as a legitimate pair. However, their ruse was discovered when an NDLEA officer subjected them to a body scan, revealing that both suspects had ingested drugs. Subsequently, they were placed under observation for excretion at the agency’s facility.

Despite their efforts to present themselves as a couple, a preliminary investigation uncovered that the individuals were not truly related. They had utilized identical surnames to bypass airport security checks. The woman, identified later as Nkechi Ngogbike, ultimately confessed her true identity. Interestingly, Onyebuchi Ilonzeh, who also goes by Ikenna Uwaezuoke, was discovered to be a repeat drug suspect currently out on bail.

Notably, Uwaezuoke had previously been arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on March 19, 2022, after ingesting 100 wraps of cocaine. His initial travel documents featured a fake identity, but he was identified and arrested once again at Lagos Airport on August 1.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Ngogbike Nkechi, or Nonyelum Ilonzeh, confessed to being recruited through her church in Aba, Abia State, where she resides.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives, stationed with courier companies in Lagos, intercepted various quantities of illegal substances such as dextromethorphan mixed with heroin, methamphetamine, dimethyl sulfone, and cannabis, all concealed in different objects destined for Europe.
1 year ago
Adeyinka Arutu

Related Post

Recent Posts

Bobrisky’s Alleged Prison Scandal Sparks Major Controversy

Nigerian crossdresser, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, has become embroiled in a scandal following revelations about his brief…

2 days ago

Soludo Declares Free Education for All Public School Students in Anambra

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has introduced free education for all students in public primary and secondary schools across…

2 days ago

Federal Government to Revamp Six National Museums in Cultural Initiative

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to rejuvenate six national museums as part of efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s cultural heritage.…

2 days ago

EFCC Files New N110bn Fraud Charges Against Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Amid Ongoing Money Laundering Case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed fresh charges against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, accusing him…

3 days ago

Nigeria’s Forex Market Surges to N15.74tn as Naira Faces Continued Depreciation

The value of foreign exchange turnover in Nigeria's Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market surged to N15.74tn ($9.90bn) in August 2024, according…

4 days ago

ASUU Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to Tinubu Government Over Unfulfilled Agreements

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu,…

4 days ago