Date: 2013-03-12

A 53- year old grandmother,  has been apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

She was arrested at the weekend by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the discovery and seizure of 1.00kg of white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine hidden inside her hair.

According to a press statement issued by the spokesman for the anti-drugs agency, Mr. Mitchel Ofoyeju stated that the suspect, Giwa Ayoka Sikirat concealed the drug in her beautiful hair style while trying to board an Ethiopian airline Flight ET 910 to Pakistan enroute Addis Ababa and Dubai.

Also, NDLEA Abuja Airport commander, Mr Hamisu Lawan, said that the suspect who attempted smuggling the drug to Pakistan was arrested during routine check.

“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” Lawan stated.

The release added further that preliminary investigation showed that Joseph Umunna was assigned to take her to the airport and ensure that she successfully boarded her flight.

“The drug was concealed in her hair in Lagos before she was taken to Abuja by her sponsors. Both suspects will soon be charged to court in line with the NDLEA Act for unlawful exportation and conspiracy to export 1kg of cocaine” it stated.

However, during interrogation, Giwa Ayoka Sikirat said that life as a single mother is 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 dollars”.

Sikirat attended St. Louis Primary School, Mushin and Isolo Secondary School both in Lagos. She also attended School of Fashion and Design in Lagos in 1994. Sikirat hails from Kwara State.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade while commending the arresting officers said that it is morally bankrupt for a 53 -year old mother to smuggle drugs.

“I commend the arresting 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” Giade stated.

Ofoyeju has however assured that Sikirat and Joseph Umunna will be charged to court very soon to serve as deterrent to others.