Grandmother arrested with cocaine in Abuja

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday arrested a 53-year- old grandmother with 1.00 kilogramme of cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja.

The suspect, Mrs. Giwa Ayoka Sikirat, who concealed the drug in her hair while trying to board an Ethiopian airline Flight ET 910 to Pakistan enroute Addis Ababa and Dubai, was apprehended during the screening of passengers at the airport.

Speaking on the arrest, NDLEA Abuja Airport Commander, Mr Hamisu Lawan, said the suspect was arrested for attempting to smuggle the drug to Pakistan during a routine check at the airport.

'There was no prior information on Sikirat as the drug was detected when a female officer carried out a body frisk on her during outward screening of passengers. She was smuggling the drug to Pakistan. We also arrested one 59-year-old suspected accomplice, Joseph Umunna, an indigene of AnambraState, who brought Sikirat to the airport.'

'Preliminary investigation shows that Joseph Umunna was assigned to take her to the airport and ensure that she successfully board her flight.

The drug was concealed in her hair in Lagos before she was taken to Abuja. Both suspects will soon be charged to court in line with the NDLEA Act for unlawful exportation and conspiracy to export 1kg of cocaine'

Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade while condemning the arrest said that it was morally bankrupt for a 53-year-old mother to smuggle drugs, saying 'I commend our officers for detecting the drug hidden in the suspect's hair.

It is sad for a 53-year-old mother to smuggle drugs. This shows that she is morally bankrupt and lacks the courage to inculcate discipline in her children.'