Operatives of Nigeria’s Anti-narcotic agencies, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have arrested the founder and General Overseer of Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly, Lagos state, High Priest Nnodu Kenrick and a student of Emmanuel College of Theology, Samanta, Ibadan, Udezuka Udoka while attempting to export hard drugs to Dubai, United Arabs Emirates.
A press statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr. Femi BabaFemi disclosed that Priest Nnodu was arrested on Saturday 11th February 2023 at his Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly church located at No 1, Sabbath Close, Ijesha area of Lagos following the arrest of two suspects; a freight agent Oyoyo Obasi and the theology student, Udezuka Udoka on Thursday 9th February at the Lagos airport in connection with the seizure of 283 parcels of skunk concealed in four 25-litre kegs of palm oil for export to Dubai.
They were arrested through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, Southern Nigeria.
In her statement, Obasi indicted the General Overseer, Nnodu and his son, Chisom Obi, who is now at large as the persons that gave her the consignments for export after being compelled to take an oath of secrecy as well as a sacrifice of chicken in the church while High Priest Nnodu prayed for her for the success of the transaction.
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BabaFemi explained that, Obasi while giving details said, the clergyman and his son used threats to compel her to take the job after they knew she had known their secrets, adding that High Priest Nnodu was always referring to the illicit drugs as Ice and Bible, (Street names for Methamphetamine and Cannabis) in their telephone text message chats.
Meanwhile, the theology student, Udezuka who used to receive two million naira was introduced to Obasi to assist her because she was new in the illicit business.
Also, NDLEA operatives have arrested a Dubai-returnee, Nnamani Innocent who was trying to export consignment of skunk and tramadol 225mg to the UAE at Trade Fair complex in Ojo area of Lagos on Tuesday 7th February.
In the same vein, NDLEA operatives attached to the SAHCO export shed of the Lagos airport same day intercepted a cargo going to London, United Kingdom containing food items with a conceal 1.10 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Also, four members of a syndicate using dispatch motorcycles to distribute illicit drugs in Lekki area of Lagos were arrested on Sunday 5th February.
In Kano, four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 229 blocks of skunk weighing 131.1kgs.
Reacting to the arrests and seizures, the Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa commended the officers, men and women of the affected commands for their commitment and professionalism towards ridding Nigeria of the menace of illicit drugs.
While urging NDLEA officers across the country to remain unrelenting in the pursuit of the corporate goal, Marwa said the Agency will continue to target anyone or group involved in the criminal trade without fear or favour.
