Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on
Tuesday night stormed the headquarters of Arik Air in Ikeja Lagos following the
arrest in London of a crew member of the airline for allegedly being in
possession of cocaine.
Tuesday night stormed the headquarters of Arik Air in Ikeja Lagos following the
arrest in London of a crew member of the airline for allegedly being in
possession of cocaine.
The Arik crew member, identified by the anti-narcotics
agency as Chika Egwu Udensi, was arrested on Monday night by operatives of the
United Kingdom Border Force with 20 kilogrammes of cocaine in London.
agency as Chika Egwu Udensi, was arrested on Monday night by operatives of the
United Kingdom Border Force with 20 kilogrammes of cocaine in London.
The NDLEA agents were said to have searched Udensi’s latest
Range Rover parked on the airline’s premises. Arik spokesman, Adebanji Ola,
confirmed the visit by the NDLEA’s operatives.
Range Rover parked on the airline’s premises. Arik spokesman, Adebanji Ola,
confirmed the visit by the NDLEA’s operatives.
Udensi was arrested at the London Heathrow Airport shortly
after an Arik Air flight W3101 that departed from the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport, Lagos, touched down in the UK.
after an Arik Air flight W3101 that departed from the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport, Lagos, touched down in the UK.
Udensi’s arrest came barely two years after two crew members
of the Arik Air were similarly nabbed by the UK Border Force in London.
of the Arik Air were similarly nabbed by the UK Border Force in London.
Officials of the NDLEA on Tuesday put the street value of
the drug found with the suspect at £350,000 (N105m).
the drug found with the suspect at £350,000 (N105m).
The Arik Air on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of its cabin
crew member by the UK Border Force.
crew member by the UK Border Force.
The airline, in a statement which read like the one issued
after the 2013 incident, said it had commenced investigation into how the
banned substance got into the suspect’s possession.
after the 2013 incident, said it had commenced investigation into how the
banned substance got into the suspect’s possession.
The statement by Ola, read, “A member of Arik Air cabin crew
was on Monday night arrested at the Heathrow Airport, London, by the UK Border
Force in connection with alleged possession of item suspected to be a banned
substance.
was on Monday night arrested at the Heathrow Airport, London, by the UK Border
Force in connection with alleged possession of item suspected to be a banned
substance.
“The airline is presently carrying out its private
investigation to determine how the cabin crew member came about the suspected
banned substance.
investigation to determine how the cabin crew member came about the suspected
banned substance.
“Arik Air will also be cooperating fully with the UK
authorities and other appropriate agencies in their investigations.”
authorities and other appropriate agencies in their investigations.”
The statement added, “The airline again reaffirms its
commitment to the fight against drug and illicit substances trafficking and
will not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of
banned items and substances.
commitment to the fight against drug and illicit substances trafficking and
will not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of
banned items and substances.
“Arik Air carries out very stringent checks on all members
of staff and its travelling guests ahead of all flights. The airline will
continue to focus its attention on measures to prevent the possibility of any
future similar incidents.
of staff and its travelling guests ahead of all flights. The airline will
continue to focus its attention on measures to prevent the possibility of any
future similar incidents.
“Arik Air is a responsible Nigerian company, always seeking
to maintain and uphold the integrity and proud reputation of the nation.”
to maintain and uphold the integrity and proud reputation of the nation.”
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