The NDLEA National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an ex-footballer, Emmanuel Okafor, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, for cocaine trafficking.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, stated on Sunday in Abuja that Mr Okafor was arrested on arrival from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa.

He flew in on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

Mr Babafemi stated that the suspect had 1.4kg of cocaine concealed in the handles of his bags and on the top edges of the bags.

He added that the 33-year-old indigene of Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia was arrested on September 26 after anti-narcotic officers unravelled where he concealed the illicit substance.

“During a preliminary interview, Okafor said he was a footballer at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu FC, where he played for four seasons before leaving for Sri Lanka in 2014.

“He said that he moved to Brazil from Sri Lanka after playing for two seasons but could not advance his football career in Brazil as he did not have official documents,’’ Mr Babafemi stated.

He added that another Brazil returnee, Chinedu Ibeh, was also arrested on September 26 upon arrival at the Lagos airport from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Ethiopian Airlines.

He also stated that Mr Ibeh hails from Ahiazu in Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo and was found to have concealed 3.2kg of Black Cocaine, popularly known as “Lucci’’ in false bottoms of his two bags.

“In his statement, he said he was to be paid N3.1 million on the successful delivery of the drug in Nigeria,’’ the NDLEA spokesman stated. 

(NAN)