PHOTO: NDLEA Arrests 53-Year-Old Mother With Cocaine in Her Hair
A 53-year-old mother has been apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency following the discovery and seizure of 1kg of white powdery substance that tested positive to cocaine. The drug was hidden inside her hair at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The suspect, Giwa Ayoka Sikirat, from Kwara state, concealed the drug in her beautiful hairdo while trying to board an Ethiopian airline Flight, ET 910 to Pakistan en-route Addis Ababa and Dubai over the weekend.
The NDLEA Abuja Airport Commander Hamisu Lawan in statement said suspect in an attempt to smuggle the drug to Pakistan was arrested during routine check.
Lawan said, "There was no prior information on Sikirat as the drug was detected when a female officer carried out a body frisk on her during outward screening of passengers.
“She was smuggling the drug to Pakistan. We also arrested one 59-year-old suspected accomplice, Joseph Umunna, an indigene of Anambra State, who brought Sikirat to the airport."
It was learnt that Umunna was assigned to take her to the airport and to ensure that she successfully boards
her flight.
Investigation further reveals that the drug was concealed in her hair in Lagos before she was taken to Abuja.
Both suspects will soon be charged to court in line with the NDLEA Act for unlawful exportation and conspiracy to export 1kg of cocaine.
During interrogation, Giwa Ayoka Sikirat said that life as a single mother was not easy.
According to Sikirat: "I have problem with my house rent and school fees of my children. I used to buy goods from Dubai and Pakistan, but since my shop at Nnamdi Azikiwe, Lagos Island, was demolished, it has been struggles.
"My husband also abandoned me and the children which made life very difficult. When they approached me to take the drug, I had no option.
"I was taken to a hotel in Lagos where a hair stylist was brought to fix the drugs. It was properly fixed and they promised to pay me $4,000."
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, while commending the officers, said that it was morally wrong for a 53- year-old mother to smuggle drugs.
He said, "I commend the officers for detecting the drug hidden in the suspect's hair. It is sad for a 53-year-old mother to smuggle drugs. This shows that she is morally bankrupt and lacks the courage to inculcate discipline in her children."
Sikirat and Umunna will soon be charged to court.
