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 just like mocking me that I am not getting anything.
“So, we met at a wedding party in Nigeria. He told me that if I will be able to take it [the substance] to Algeria, he would give me N500,000.
“He asked if he can go with me, I said no because at that time I have not collected my balance.
“He then left for Algeria about two weeks ago.
“So, that is how it happened. I don’t want to go further, please,” Timothy said.
The arrest
The acting 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 5:15 pm men attached to the Illela border, intercepted one Nkem Timothy who tried to smuggle cocaine into the Niger Republic on a motorcycle.
“His bag was searched and two bottles of Yoghurt were found inside the bag.
“Inside those two bottles, 62 wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine that weight 1.550 kilograms were concealed.
“Curious search into other luggage led to the discovery of an ECOWAS passport.
“The name on that passport read ‘Auwalu Audu’ but his real name is Nkem Timothy.
“I think he did this so that he would be allowed to live in Algeria because he is based there.
“His story was that he travelled home, met someone through whom he got the substance, which he was taking back to his base, Algeria.
“We have commenced an investigation. After the investigation, we will take the next step that is required by law and our regulations,’ Bamidele said.
He added that this was the first time a suspected cocaine trafficker was arrested in the state in recent years.
“This is an eye-opener because it has helped us a lot to beef up our presence in that place so that not even a pin will go through henceforth,” he noted.
