57 year old woman arrested with illegal substances at Lagos Airport

- A 57 year year old woman, Omolara Morayo Odeyemi, was arrested at Lagos Airport with cocaine in her luggage

- Morayo was reportedly on her way to Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage when she was arrested

57 year old textile merchant at Balogun market in Lagos, Omolara Morayo Odeyemi, has been arrested with cocaine concealed in her luggage.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC) in a statement on Saturday, March 11, said Odeyemi was on her way to Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage when she was arrested, Sahara reporters report.

57 year old Muslim grandma arrested with illegal substances at the airport

Mitchell Ofoyeju who spoke on behalf of NAFDAC said Odeyemi had all things needed for the pilgrimage in her luggage and the substance was hidden between other things.

NDLEA commander at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Ahmadu Garba explained that the two parcels of white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine were carefully concealed inside her luggage.

Garba said: “A female passenger, Omolara Morayo Odeyemi with a valid Egypt air ticket from Lagos to Saudi Arabia had been arrested with 1.595kg of cocaine.

"The cocaine which was concealed in a false bottom of her bag was discovered during routine check on passengers at the departure hall. We had to cut the bag open to recover the cocaine because of the way it was neatly concealed. She was immediately arrested and the case is currently under investigation."

Odeyemi when interrogated said she was introduced to drug trafficking by her friend.

Odeyemi said: “I am a textile merchant at Balogun market, Lagos. I have two children and my daughter is married with children. Recently, I told my friend that I loved to go on pilgrimage this year and she promised to sponsor my trip.

"That was how she collected my international passport, processed my travel documents and bought return ticket on Egypt airline. The only favour she requested from me was that I should take a bag to Saudi.

"She also told me that somebody will collect the bag from me at Jeddah. It was an empty bag so I kept my personal effects inside it. On getting to the airport, officers discovered cocaine inside the bag during search and I was arrested."