Operatives of the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency have apprehended a 30-year-old man, John Arinze, for
being in possession of 2.1 kilogrames of methamphetamine.
The NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr.
Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the arrest was made during the outward screening
of passengers on a Virgin Atlantic flight to London at the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar,
who confirmed the arrest, said, “Four parcels containing substances
that tested positive for methamphetamine were found carefully hidden
inside Arinze’s luggage.
“Officers had to cut open the sides of
the bag to recover the parcels of drugs. On interrogation as to the
purposes of his travel, the suspect claimed he had an interview in
London.”
Arinze, who is a career counsellor,
also claimed to be an ambassador of Bolton University in the United
Kingdom where he had lived for three years.
Arinze claimed that he was given the bag by a friend, who bought his return ticket to London.
He said, “I came to Nigeria in June as
an alumni ambassador of my university. I have a Master’s degree in
International Business from Bolton University. Work was at advanced
stage for an exhibition in Onitsha with parents and prospective
candidates, who are interested in furthering their education in the
United Kingdom.
“In the process, I got an interview
request in London which I had wanted to quickly attend and then return
to Nigeria. A friend who assisted me in buying my ticket gave me the bag
to use for my trip. It was inside the bag that the parcels of drug were
found. I truly regret the incident and will like my friends, relatives
and business partners to please understand my situation.”
Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, described Arinze’s excuse as disappointing.
He said, “It is sad and disappointing
that the suspect could yield to the demand to traffic drugs considering
his academic background and profession as a career counsellor.”
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which kind small pikin talk b dis oga career counsellor
ReplyDeleteoh, its a pity...most people have fallen victim of such....Now whether he is innocent or not, he has created a bad reputation for himself and his institution.
ReplyDeleteA very good ambassador indeed!
ReplyDelete