NDLEA WARNS INTENDING PILGRIMS AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING

As this year's pilgrimage to Mecca draws near, the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has advised pilgrims not to hide under
the cover of the exercise to engage in drug trafficking.

Mr Mohammed Jibrin, the NDLEA Commander at the Malam Aminu Kano
International Airport, was quoted as describing drug trafficking in
Saudi Arabia as suicidal, as it carries death penalty.

This is contained in a statement by the Public Affairs Officer of
the NDLEA, Mr Mitchel Ofoyeju.

The warning came on the heels of the arrest of one Sheni Kareem
Mohammed, at the airport on his way to Saudi Arabia for Umrah
(lesser Hajj), in October.

According to the statement, the suspect, Sheni, was arrested on
October 10, during the screening of passengers travelling to Saudi
Arabia for the lesser Hajj aboard Kabo flight from Kano to Jeddah.

It stated that Sheni was found to be in possession of 62 wraps of
substances which was later discovered to be cocaine weighing one
kilogramme concealed in his underpants.

The intending pilgrim, the statement said, was also found to be
travelling with a fake passport bearing Mohammed Abdulrahman.

The statement added that investigation revealed that Sheni ingested
the drugs but due to the rescheduling of the flight, he excreted it
and decided to hide it in his underpants.

According to the statement, Sheni will soon be prosecuted along with
one of his accomplices, also arrested.

Ofoyeju's statement came as the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria
(FAAN) is concluding arrangements for the airlift of pilgrims from
the Lagos zone.

The airlift is expected to begin on November 22.

FAAN's Terminal Manager, Hajj and Cargo, Mr John Omaghomi, told
newsmen, that preparations were in top gear to ensure smooth
operations at the terminal.

He said that security was also being scaled up to ensure safety of
pilgrims and avoid any security breach.