The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested the founder and General Overseer of Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly, Lagos State, High Priest Nnodu Kenrick, a student of Emmanuel College of Theology, Samanda, Ibadan, Oyo State, Udezuka Udoka and their freight agent, Mary Obasi, over alleged attempts to export methamphetamine and skunk to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, in a statement yesterday, said the suspects concealed the consignments in kegs of palm oil.
Babafemi said Nnodu was arrested on February 11 at his church on No 1, Sabbath Close, Ijesha area of Lagos, following the arrest of Mary Obasi and Udoka on February 9, at the Lagos Airport, in connection with the seizure of 283 parcels of skunk weighing 14.90 kilograms and 204 grams of methamphetamine concealed in four 25-litre kegs of palm oil for export to Dubai.
According to the statement, Mary indicted Nnodu and his son, Chisom Obi, who is now at large, as persons who gave her the consignments for export after being compelled to take an oath of secrecy and a sacrifice of chicken in the church, while Nnodu prayed for a success of the transaction.
The statement reads: “Mary said the cleric and his son used threats to compel her to take the job after they knew she was privy to their secrets. According to her, Nnodu was always referring to the illicit drugs as ice and Bible, (street names for methamphetamine and cannabis) in their telephone chats. Udezuka was introduced to Mary to assist her because she was new in the business. Udezuka said he was paid N2 million for his role and had to do it because he needed the money for his education.
“Another attempt to send a consignment of skunk and tramadol (225mg) to the UAE by a Dubai-returnee, Nnamani Innocent, was also frustrated following his arrest at Trade Fair complex in Ojo area of Lagos, where he had gone with his friend, Nwanana Emmanuel Ikechukwu, to process the consignment for export on February 7.