32 year old man collapsed and died at Abuja Airport for cocaine ingestion

A THIRTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD Lagos-based trader and suspected drug peddler has died of cocaine ingestion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

The suspect, identified as Ndulue Emmanuel Obiefuna, collapsed at the Departure Hall and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Ndulue was an intending passenger on an Ethiopian airline flight to China enroute Addis Ababa on July 5, 2015.

The NDLEA Commander at the Abuja Airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan said the suspect confessed to cocaine ingestion at the hospital.

“The deceased collapsed at the Departure Hall and was being attended to by Port Health officials. The collapse triggered our suspicion and a narcotic officer was assigned to monitor the development. When the suspect’s condition stabilised at the hospital, he confessed to cocaine ingestion. At that point, the NDLEA took over the case from the Port Health Services.

“He later died while receiving treatment,” Hamisu stated.

Interim investigation revealed that the deceased hailed from Anambra State. Until his demise, he was a trader living in Lagos. It was gathered that the deceased decided to abort his trip after collecting his boarding pass. This was due to complications arising from the cocaine he ingested. He collapsed immediately he notified the airline officials of his intention to cancel his trip. At the hospital, 55 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine with a total weight of 1.20kg was evacuated from his stomach.

The Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, who described narcotic ingestion as a suicide mission, reiterated his call for a drug-free society.

“Ingesting narcotics is a suicide mission. I sympathise with the family members. Drug trafficking is a serious crime. It is a threat to public health and safety. The current trend of drug ingestion by drug traffickers in disregard of the grave health implication must be condemned by all. People must shun drug trafficking and support the anti-drug campaign. We must collectively intensify counter-narcotics efforts by talking to at least one person daily on the dangers of drugs and benefits of a drug-free society,” Giade stated.

The NDLEA boss also urged members of the public to report any suspected drug dealer to the agency.

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