The accused persons; a Chief Security Supervisor of
NAHCO, Mr. Audu Garba, two security assistants, Nasiru Ibrahim and Haruna
Abdullahi, and a load controller, Victor Ahenje, were remanded on
Wednesday after pleading not guilty to charges of conspiracy, aiding and
abetting in the unlawful exportation of 144kgs of ephedrine to Mozambique.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
filed the charges against the officials after the failed attempt to export
144kgs of ephedrine to Maputo, Mozambique at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International
Airport (NAIA) Abuja.
The case was however adjourned to January 9, 2017 for hearing while the accused will remain in custody.
According to the charge, the said NAHCO staff who are in charge of cargo safety and security, conspired with suspected drug trafficking syndicate in swapping already screened consignments by security agencies at the airport with similar packages that contained narcotics.
The case was however adjourned to January 9, 2017 for hearing while the accused will remain in custody.
According to the charge, the said NAHCO staff who are in charge of cargo safety and security, conspired with suspected drug trafficking syndicate in swapping already screened consignments by security agencies at the airport with similar packages that contained narcotics.
The NDLEA spokesman, Mitchel Ofoyeju, said: “The
illicit activities of the group were uncovered following an intelligence report
received by our agency. In the course of investigation, our Agency extended the
search by inviting a number of airport officials suspected to be involved in
the incident for interrogation.
“While others were cleared, five staff of NAHCO, including a load controller, who is at large, were found to be seriously indicted. These workers were deliberately working to undermine security measures at the airport by swapping already screened cargoes with similar consignment that had been stuffed with narcotics.”
“While others were cleared, five staff of NAHCO, including a load controller, who is at large, were found to be seriously indicted. These workers were deliberately working to undermine security measures at the airport by swapping already screened cargoes with similar consignment that had been stuffed with narcotics.”
Ofoyeju noted that Garba was also identified as the
suspected master mind of this high level conspiracy.
It was disclosed that the defendants were taking undue advantage of their position and privilege by deploying the official vehicle of NAHCO in the said act of sabotage.
It was disclosed that the defendants were taking undue advantage of their position and privilege by deploying the official vehicle of NAHCO in the said act of sabotage.
“Furthermore, the shipment of 144kgs of ephedrine
concealed among hair relaxers and cereals was swapped with a similar package
that was screened by all security operatives. Unfortunately for the suspects,
what appeared to be a discreet plot to unlawfully export narcotics to
Mozambique through an Ethiopian airline flight was promptly nipped in the bud
by the NDLEA,” said Ofoyeju.
Abuja airport commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, said that the management of NAHCO at the Abuja airport is cooperating with investigation.
Abuja airport commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, said that the management of NAHCO at the Abuja airport is cooperating with investigation.
He added: "This is a case of outright swapping
of already screened cargoes with similar bags. Our team of investigators has
made significant progress in the case and so far the management of NAHCO is
cooperating with the Agency. Those being interrogated include Garba and three
others in the security department."
The Chairman of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) expressed confidence in the judiciary and promised to provide necessary evidence for a successful prosecution.
The NDLEA boss called for synergy among security agencies stressing that the common goal is the security of our country.
The Chairman of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) expressed confidence in the judiciary and promised to provide necessary evidence for a successful prosecution.
The NDLEA boss called for synergy among security agencies stressing that the common goal is the security of our country.
"We must work together in promoting peace and
national security. No Agency can succeed in isolation. This seizure has
provided a platform for us to reappraise our strategies with a view to
fine-tuning existing modes of operation," Abdallah stated.
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