Nigeria economy pushed me into drug trafficking

One onyechi Esonwunne, has been arrested for attempting to send a luggage containing cannabis to China through an unsuspected passenger.

Officials of national drug law enforcement agency, NDLEA, at the Akanu  Ibiam international airport Enugu state, made the arrest at weekend.

Esonwunne had previously been deported twice from China in 2008 and may 2016. The cannabis was concealed inside packs of noodles.

In his confession to newsmen, the father of four said, "Hardship and Nigeria's economy forced me into drug trafficking. The exchange rate is very high and I hardly get money to take care of my family.

"My sponsor promised to pay me the sum of $5,000 to take the drug to China but I was arrested before I could bought my flight.

"I am a trade but due to the economic turndown, I turned to cannabis smuggling to cope, he said.

Meanwhile, another suspect, 47 year old Adobe Baloba, was caught during outward screening of passengers on an Ethiopia airline flight to China.

Spokespersons for the agency. Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, in a statement, said Baloba  a clearing and for awarding agent, ingested 74 wraps of cocaine while on his way to China.

The NDLEA commander at Enugu airport, Adeymi, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said the cocaine, which Baloba ingested weighed 1.417kgs, adding that investigation officers are working hard on the case and the suspect will be charged to court.

While calling on members of the public to avoid collecting consignment from people, he said it was a method widely used by drug traffickers, who target innocent passengers to smuggle drugs.