Emirates Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Lagos over Cocaine Haul

Chinedu Eze

Deteriorating health of a suspected drug trafficker prompted Emirates flight EK 262 from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Dubai, United Arab Emirates to make emergency landing in Lagos at the weekend.

An official statement from the National Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disclosed that the screening by anti-narcotic officials found four passengers positive for drug ingestion who are currently under interrogation. The suspects were Okeh Desmond, Ezeanya Nnaemeka, Christopher Nonso and Chibusi Promise.

“One of the suspects in critical health condition was immediately hospitalised as doctors battle to save his life,” the agency said in a statement.

Chief Executive of NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd.), who confirmed the suspect was responding to treatment, called for stiffer penalty against drug trafficking, noting that the Agency needs the cooperation of all stakeholders to send a warning to drug trafficking organisations.

According to Abdallah, “NDLEA is taking necessary measures to protect and promote the image of Nigeria and will resist any attempt to undermine the gains so far recorded in the fight against drug control. Drug traffickers must be severely punished to reduce the number of persons getting involved in the criminal act. All hands must be on deck to condemn drug trafficking in its entirety.”

Also NDLEA commander at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, Mr. Ahmadu Garba said the Emirates flight left Sao Paulo, Brazil to Dubai but was forced to come to Lagos due to the health condition of a passenger on board who ingested cocaine.

“A passenger complained of severe abdominal pains and later suffered three recurrent seizures thus necessitating an emergency landing in Lagos. Upon arrival, four passengers tested positive for narcotic ingestion. They are Okeh Desmond, Ezeanya Nnaemeka, Christopher Nonso and Chibusi Promise. All the suspects are under observation”, Garba stated.
NDLEA has beamed its search light on flights originating from Brazil and Dubai in recent times because of its notoriety in cocaine trafficking.