Key Points
- NDLEA arrested 59-year-old Chijioke Igbokwe at Lagos airport after recovering 81 cocaine pellets weighing 1.943 kilograms from his stomach.
- Igbokwe ingested the drugs in Ethiopia for delivery in Lebanon but was deported due to insufficient funds, leading to his arrest upon returning to Lagos.
- After excreting only 24 pellets, Igbokwe underwent emergency surgery to remove the remaining 57, highlighting the severe health risks of drug trafficking.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested 59-year-old businessman Chijioke Igbokwe after recovering 81 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.943 kilograms from his stomach. The illicit drugs, worth millions of naira, were seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight on January 26. A body scan revealed the presence of drugs in his system, leading to his immediate detention under excretion observation.
Investigations by NDLEA revealed that Igbokwe, a clothing trader from Arena, Oshodi, Lagos, had traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 22. On January 23, he ingested 81 wraps of cocaine and boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon, to deliver the consignment in exchange for 3,000.However, his plan unraveled when Lebanese authorities denied him entry due to in sufficient funds. This led to his deportation back to Addis Ababa, where he found himself stranded and unable to excrete the drugs.
Failed Attempts and a Desperate Return
While in Ethiopia, Igbokwe made several unsuccessful attempts to expel the cocaine pellets. On January 25, he returned to Lagos, still carrying the illicit substances. Upon his arrival, NDLEA officers intercepted him, and a body scan confirmed the presence of drugs in his system. He was immediately placed under observation at NDLEA’s facility, where medical personnel monitored his condition.
Over the next five days, Igbokwe excreted only 24 of the 81 pellets despite medical intervention at NDLEA’s facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. As time passed, his condition worsened due to underlying health complications. On January 30, doctors performed an emergency exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 pellets from his stomach. The surgery was successful, but the incident underscores the severe health risks associated with drug trafficking.
Following the successful operation, NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the MMIA strategic command for their vigilance and professionalism in handling the case. He reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking, warning potential offenders about the dangers and consequences of such criminal activities. Marwa emphasized that the NDLEA remains committed to combating drug trafficking and protecting the public from the devastating effects of illicit substances.
This case highlights the growing sophistication of drug trafficking networks and the lengths to which individuals will go to smuggle illegal substances. It also sheds light on the health risks faced by drug mules, who often endanger their lives for financial gain. The NDLEA’s efforts to intercept such operations are crucial in curbing the flow of drugs into and out of Nigeria, but the incident also calls for increased public awareness about the dangers of drug trafficking.
