I Was Offered ₦500,000 To Take ‘Stuff’ In Algeria - Suspected Cocaine Trafficker Says

Mr Nkem Timothy, who was arrested with a substance suspected to be cocaine, said he was offered the sum of N500,000 to deliver the ‘stuff’ in Algeria.

In an interview with newsmen in Sokoto, he said he was introduced into the business by a friend.

“It was a friend of mine that we were living together in Algeria that offered me the money to deliver the stuff for him.

“This was not my business to start with. I was selling leather jackets and ladies’ shoes and bags.

“When I get to Algeria I buy them, come back to Nigeria, sell, collect my money and go back.

“He was much like mocking me that I am now not getting anything.

“So, we met at a wedding party in Nigeria. He advised me that if I might be capable of take it [the substance] to Algeria, he might give me N500,000.

“He asked if he can go together with me, I stated no due to the fact at that time I have no longer amassed my balance.

“He then left for Algeria about  weeks ago.

“So, that is how it occurred. I don’t need to head further, please,” Timothy said.

The arrest

The appearing Commander of the Sokoto Command of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Amos S. Bamidele, said on the 25th of February, 2021 at about five:15 pm men connected to the Illela border, intercepted one Nkem Timothy who tried to smuggle cocaine into the Niger Republic on a motorcycle.

“His bag changed into searched and  bottles of Yoghurt were found within the bag.

“Inside those  bottles, sixty two wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine that weight 1.550 kilograms have been concealed.

“Curious seek into different luggage led to the invention of an ECOWAS passport.

“The call on that passport read ‘Auwalu Audu’ but his real call is Nkem Timothy.

“I think he did this in order that he could be allowed to live in Algeria due to the fact he's based totally there.

“His tale turned into that he travelled domestic, met a person thru whom he got the substance, which he changed into taking lower back to his base, Algeria.

“We have started an research. After the investigation, we can take the following step that is required by way of law and our policies,’ Bamidele said.

He delivered that this changed into the primary time a suspected cocaine trafficker become arrested inside the kingdom in current years.

“This is a watch-opener as it has helped us plenty to red meat up our presence in that area in order that no longer even a pin will undergo henceforth,” he stated.