U.S. -Based Nigerian Arrested With Hard Drug

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a naturalised American of Nigerian descent with 1.67 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed in his stomach.

The 57-year old suspect, Mr. Ajah Philemon Osi, an indigene of Amaeze village in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria, was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State, South West Nigeria, as he attempted to board a flight to Doha.

Osi, NDLEA said, disclosed that the earthquake that struck Japan last month and the Tsunami that followed destroyed all the vehicles he was to import to Nigeria for sale. He claimed that he lost over $100, 000 in the tragic incident and had no choice but to engage in drug trafficking. NDLEA, however, described Osi’s story as a ruse.

The agency Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said this morning that Osi was nabbed three days ago but excreted the last wrap of the drug last night.

“The suspect Ajah Philemon Osi had lived in the United States for over 20 years while his wife and four children are in Ireland,” Ofoyeju said in a statement.

“He claimed to have lost several of his vehicles worth over $100,000 in the recent earthquake in Japan, a situation that forced him into drug trafficking,” Ofoyeju said.

The agency warned all drug traffickers or barons in the country that they will be arrested and prosecuted.

“What we have at the airports at present is a world class security control system both in terms of equipment and strategic planning by officers. Our promise to Nigerians is that all drug barons shall be exposed,” the NDLEA Chairman Ahmadu Giade said.

—Simon Ateba