Crimes

Human trafficker arrested for recruiting orphan to export drug to Dubai

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled an attempt by a human trafficker, Mathew Bassey, to export illicit drug to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos State.

Bassey was arrested by the NDLEA operatives after inserting the illicit drug in the luggage of an orphan, Ms. Peter Gift Eno, who was recruited for a phantom job in UAE.

The 29-year-old man, who hails from Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was arrested on Wednesday, July 6 following the interception of Eno at the departure hall of the Lagos airport.

This was made known via a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, a copy of which was made available to The Star.

Babafemi stated that when Eno’s luggage was searched, 50 parcels of cannabis (2.80kg) concealed in food items were discovered, while there were discrepancies between the age she declared and the date of birth on her international passport.

“Further interview reveals that the human trafficker who recruited and brought her to the airport, Mathew Bassey was still lurking around the airport, waiting for her departure. He was promptly tracked and arrested.

“Investigations showed that the victim who hails from the same Oron LGA of Akwa Ibom State like Bassey recently lost her mother and as a result made it easy for Bassey to recruit her with the promise of securing her a job in Dubai, UAE.

“It was further discovered that the recruiter leveraged on the victim’s naivety and planted drugs in her bag for onward delivery to his contact in Dubai,” the NDLEA spokesman noted.

Speaking, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the anti-drug officers for staying vigilant and proactive in their areas of responsibility.

Marwa further urged them and their colleagues across the country not to rest on their oars.

The Star