The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a former Nigerian international footballer, Segun George Hunkarin, alongside four other suspects, for their involvement in various drug trafficking operations spanning Lagos, Enugu, Kwara, and Delta States.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that Hunkarin was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, following the arrest of his associate, Ntoruka Chinedu, who arrived in the country with 800 grams of cocaine.
“Chinedu, who is known for frequent travels between Turkey and Nigeria for business, was intercepted on June 24 after arriving on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. A search of his hand luggage revealed 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800 grams, which he reportedly collected during a stopover in Addis Ababa,” Babafemi said.
Investigations led NDLEA operatives to Hunkarin, who was waiting at the airport car park to receive the illicit consignment.
“Hunkarin confessed to being involved in similar drug deals in the past while playing professional football in Brazil, but claimed this was the first time the operation was intended to reach Nigeria,” Babafemi added.
In a related case, a Europe-based businessman, Amen Okoro Godstime, was caught at MMIA’s Terminal 2 on June 27 while attempting to smuggle 5,000 tablets of 225mg tramadol disguised as malaria medications such as Lonart, Amatem, and Aluktem. He was about to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Spain, en route to Italy via France.
More Read
“Okoro admitted that he intended to take the drugs to Italy, where he resides, passing through France,” the NDLEA stated.
Meanwhile, in Enugu, two international drug mules were nabbed at Akanu Ibiam International Airport on the same day. Ezenwaka Chibuzor Emmanuel, a 38-year-old bar attendant based in Mozambique, was caught with 17.5kg of methamphetamine and 3.05kg of cocaine concealed inside bedsheets after arriving from Johannesburg.
Another suspect, Azu Follygan Kpodar, 54, who arrived from São Paulo, Brazil, was found in possession of 1.25kg of liquid cocaine hidden in a container of liquid soap.
“Kpodar, a toy trader in Brinquedo, Brazil, claimed he bought the drugs while shopping for his wedding in Nigeria,” Babafemi said.
NDLEA also reported the arrest of a Beninese national, Vode Jean-Luck, on June 24 at the Seme border in Badagry. The 26-year-old was allegedly smuggling 69 balls of skunk, a high-grade cannabis strain, weighing 29.5kg.
In Kwara State, a notorious female dealer, Mary Bolanle Oladele (aka “Iya Nafi”), was arrested in Omu-Aran on June 25, with various quantities of skunk, tramadol, and flunitrazepam recovered from her residence.
Also in Delta State, 72-year-old Christy Ejaro was arrested in the Niger CAT area of Warri on June 24. Officers recovered multiple sachets of skunk ready for sale from the grandmother.
The NDLEA reiterated its resolve to tackle the drug menace across the country, with Babafemi stating, “These arrests show the relentless commitment of the agency to dismantle drug trafficking networks regardless of the profile or background of those involved.”
