Couple Arrested With Heroin
A man and his wife have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, with 2.280 kilogrammes of Heroin concealed in their stomachs, while on their way to the United States of America, the agency said this morning.
The arrest is unprecedented as it is the first time husband and wife will test positive to drug simultaneously, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA Head of Public affairs said.
The suspects, 60-year-old Owolabi Ganiyu Amoo, also known as Johnson Bamiduro, and his 57-year-old wife, Owolabi Ganiyu Omowunmi Eniola, were arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, South-West Nigeria, during routine checks on Delta Airline passengers to the United States.
Ofoyeju disclosed that Amoo who is a printer and Eniola, a trader, were arrested on 31 December 2010, but finished excreting the drug early today.
The suspects, he said, ingested 160 wraps of powdery substance that was found to be heroin.
“Each of them swallowed 80 wraps that weighed 1.140kg. This is the first time both husband and wife will test positive to drug ingestion,†Ofoyeju said.
NDLEA Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar, said that preliminary investigation has shown that the couple specialised in narcotic smuggling under the cover of husband and wife.
Findings, NDLEA said, also revealed that they ingested the drugs by the roadside at Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos before heading straight to the airport.
Authorities are making efforts to ascertain their level of involvement and other associates.
They were given an initial payment of 2,000 dollars each and were hopeful of additional 8,000 dollars if they had successfully delivered the drugs in New York, their final destination, it was learnt.
According to Hamza, “any marriage built on the platform of drug trafficking will not workâ€.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade expressed disappointment at the involvement of the couple in drug trafficking given their old age, adding that the law will take its course.
“We shall remain resolute on our mission of extra-vigilance at all times. The suspects wanted to capitalise on the end of year last moment frenzy to smuggle drugs. Wishing the officers a prosperous new year will not stop them from discharging their duties professionally. The task of drug control is vital to national security and not even the aged or newlywed will make us lose concentration,†Giade promised.
Owolabi Ganiyu Amoo of Ipaye Street, Lagos Island hails from Offa in Kwara State. He attended 1st Baptist Church Primary School Ilorin and graduated in 1974.  He equally had his secondary education at Iree, Osun State.
In his statement, Owolabi said that though he had a printing press with the name Joabsin Printing Press, he was still having financial problems. That was why he considered the option of drug trafficking.
Eniola also hails from Kwara State. She got married to her present husband after her former husband Wahab Aremu died. She has been involved in drug trafficking.
The suspect, who is a grandmother, has five children; the eldest is 35 years old and married with children.
“I was frustrated after my first husband died, but I found hope in drug trafficking with my new marriage to Owolabi Ganiyu. I did not know that it will end this way. I feel sad. If only I can get out of this case, I pray to God not to involve myself in drug trafficking again,†she stated.
— Simon Ateba
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