The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said two traffickers, nearly died when they fell critically ill upon their arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Spokesperson for the agency, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said luckily for the suspects, when they were rushed to the hospital, 137 wraps of cocaine were successfully evacuated from their stomachs.
Similar incidents, which highlights the extreme risk drug mules or traffickers undertake in transporting narcotics in their bodies, were said to have led to the death of traffickers in the past.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) said the suspects who were passengers from Sao Paulo, Brazil enroute Dubai are now in a stable health condition.
The two suspects, Ogbobe Chidiebere (33), and Okonkwo Nonye (33), who are both from Enugu State were thankful to the NDLEA for saving their lives.
Chidiebere was quoted as saying, “I thank the NDLEA for taking us to the hospital on time. I know that I made a mistake but I never knew that it could have led to my death. Even though, they will take me to court, I still thank God that I am alive. This has taught me a bitter lesson.”
It is unclear if any of the wraps burst inside the two suspects.
Abdallah however warned that Nigerians should avoid dangerous and criminal acts that are inimical to their wellbeing, public health and safety.
“Drug ingestion is a very risky act that takes drug traffickers to early graves. The agency will continue to protect lives and enhance public security by ensuring that narcotic drugs are only made available for medical and scientific purposes,” he said.
Three other suspects were also arrested at the airport for drug importation. One of them, Okanimeh Niclopez (33), was arrested with a duty-free bag stocked with 3.3kg of cocaine hidden in chocolate, while the two others, Obeche Emeka (29) and Ikeaba Anthony (31), were caught with 1kg and 1.782kg of cocaine hidden inside socks, respectively.
The agency said they would all be charged to court soon.
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