A 48 year-old woman caused a mild drama at the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after she allegedly vomited 15 wraps of
white, powdery substances that tested positive for cocaine.
Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after she allegedly vomited 15 wraps of
white, powdery substances that tested positive for cocaine.
Saidat Hassan, a mother of three, was arrested at the
central screening section of the departure hall during the screening of
passengers on an Egypt Airline flight to Jedda, Saudi Arabia, en-route Cairo.
central screening section of the departure hall during the screening of
passengers on an Egypt Airline flight to Jedda, Saudi Arabia, en-route Cairo.
She was immediately apprehended by officers of the National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who discovered that she had ingested 80
wraps of cocaine weighing 904 grammes, the agency said in a statement on
Friday.
Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who discovered that she had ingested 80
wraps of cocaine weighing 904 grammes, the agency said in a statement on
Friday.
Hamisu Lawan, the NDLEA Abuja airport commander said efforts
were made to protect her from any harm resulting from drug ingestion.
were made to protect her from any harm resulting from drug ingestion.
“As soon as we discovered that the suspected wraps she
vomited tested positive for cocaine, we took measures to ensure her safety by
preventing any harm that may result from drug ingestion,” said Mr. Lawan.
vomited tested positive for cocaine, we took measures to ensure her safety by
preventing any harm that may result from drug ingestion,” said Mr. Lawan.
“While under observation, she excreted sixty-five similar
wraps. In all, she ingested 80 wraps of cocaine weighing 904 grammes; her case
is under investigation.”
wraps. In all, she ingested 80 wraps of cocaine weighing 904 grammes; her case
is under investigation.”
Mohammad Abdallah, the NDLEA Chairman, who expressed
satisfaction with her arrest said her action negates every principle of good
parenting.
satisfaction with her arrest said her action negates every principle of good
parenting.
“This is gross ineptitude on the part of a mother saddled
with the responsibility of nurturing her children into future leaders,” said
Mr. Abdallah, a retired colonel.
with the responsibility of nurturing her children into future leaders,” said
Mr. Abdallah, a retired colonel.
“I am glad that she did not die from drug ingestion and she
is alive to face trial. Besides escaping the risk of swallowing cocaine, this
arrest also saved her because drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia is punishable by
death.
is alive to face trial. Besides escaping the risk of swallowing cocaine, this
arrest also saved her because drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia is punishable by
death.
“She will soon be charged to court because the law must run
its full course. I expect the general public to learn lessons from this case
that drug trafficking leads to pain, ignominy and untimely death.”
its full course. I expect the general public to learn lessons from this case
that drug trafficking leads to pain, ignominy and untimely death.”
Mrs. Hassan, a native of Idiroko, Ogun State who resides in
Lagos Island claimed to be a business woman dealing in clothing materials.
Lagos Island claimed to be a business woman dealing in clothing materials.
“I am a business woman and I sell women clothes at Balogun
market,” she said in her statement to the NDLEA.
market,” she said in her statement to the NDLEA.
“I used to buy my goods from Ghana. I was introduced into
the drug business by a friend and business partner. The drug was brought from
Abidjan, Ivory Coast and we were to share the proceeds equally.
the drug business by a friend and business partner. The drug was brought from
Abidjan, Ivory Coast and we were to share the proceeds equally.
“Until my arrest, I never knew that the cocaine I ingested
would have led to my death in Saudi Arabia. I thank God for keeping me alive.”
would have led to my death in Saudi Arabia. I thank God for keeping me alive.”
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