Blog

PLAIN clothed security agents in their hundreds seized, Charles Okah, the younger brother to detained MEND leader, Henry Okah, in Apapa area of Lagos.

Charles Okah was arrested with some of his children according to family sources.

His brother, Henry Okah, who is currently detained by the South African police and undergoing trial for terror -related charges claimed in diary seized from him that Charles was faking his voice to negotiate with the Nigerian authorities in a "cease-fire" deal.

It is not clear if Charles was arrested over his brother's claims before South African magistrate or relating to the latest MEND threats which security sources said might have been traced to him.

Nigeria tightened security Saturday at the busy Abuja International Airport, a day after the militant group MEND threatened an imminent attack in the nation's capital, travellers said.

The officials, armed with bomb detectors, screened vehicles about 250 metres (800 feet) out on the airport access road, including conducting physical inspections of some vehicles.

"There was no such security measures in place at the airport three days ago," one traveller said.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) threatened in a statement on Friday that a bomb attack was "imminent" in Abuja, which experienced twin car bombings two weeks ago in which at least 12 people died and several others injured..

The threat came in a statement that criticised the government's response to the October 1 Independence Day bombings.

Anti-narcotics operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday disclosed the discovery of 1kg cocaine hidden in sandals by a Nigerian based in Spain.

According to the agency, the suspect, Ezeugha Sunny, was detected on an Iberia flight at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on Wednesday attempting to smuggle the drugs to Europe.

“The cocaine was carefully packed in two 500g parcels and neatly hidden in a pair of sandals he was putting on at the time of screening,” said Mitchell Ofoyeju, spokesperson for the agency.

Mr Ofoyeju disclosed that three other suspects also tested positive to drug ingestion, adding that two of them, Abuku Kennedy, 26, and Oparaji Anthony, 40, live in Spain, while Tochukwu Okeke, 35, lives in Monrovia, Liberia.

Ahmadu Giade, chief executive of the agency said that drug barons have nowhere to hide the illegal substance, stressing that the agency is determined to deal with the peddlers.

“The seizure is unique and the dedication of the officers must be commended. Drug barons will have their drug concealment methods discovered because we are prepared and committed to our duty of drug control,” he said. “Regular training in both interdiction techniques and passenger profiling is also our strength.” The suspect, who claimed to have got the sandals from a resident in Lagos, said that after losing his job in Europe, things became tough and he had no choice but to delve into crime..

“I work in Spain but I lost my job some months ago. Though I am single, it is difficult to cope in Europe without a job. It is joblessness that led me into drug trafficking. I needed money for my upkeep and when they told me that the drug will be inside my sandals, I felt it was a good plan to escape arrest but my desire did no work out,” he said.

Umar Hamza, airport commander for the agency, said that Tochukwu Okeke, one of the other arrested suspects, swallowed 45 pieces of narcotic substances on his way to Liberia.

According to him, the suspect was to board an Arik flight when he tested positive to drug ingestion.

“Oparaji Anthony ingested 71 wraps while Abuku Kennedy swallowed 45 wraps,” he said.

Mr Hamza added that the suspects are still on observation to expel the drugs in their stomachs.

“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed,” he said.