An intending Muslim pilgrim from Kwara state, Basira Iyabo Binuyo has tested positive to narcotic ingestion.
Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said so far, she has excreted 76 pellets of substances found to be cocaine.
Binuyo, 55-year-old was caught at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where she was billed to fly to Medina, aboard an Emirates flight.
She was thereafter placed under observation by officials of the NDLEA.
The Commander of the NDLEA at the Abuja airport, Hamisu Lawan, said “Mrs. Binuyo was arrested during the outward screening of passengers on an Emirates flight to Medina through Dubai.
“She has so far excreted 76 pellets of drugs that tested positive for cocaine.
“Meanwhile, she is still under observation until the drugs are completely expelled,”
In her statement, Binuyo, a trader at Dosumu market in Lagos and mother of three children, explained why she agreed to smuggle the drugs:
“I am a trader in Lagos, married with three children.
“I wanted to expand my cosmetic business but I have no money.
“My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage.
“I was excited until I was asked to take drugs along.
“I wanted to decline but considering the offer of N1 million, I accepted.
“I swallowed the drugs in Lagos and took flight to Abuja on my way to Medina but I was caught in the process.”
