Chika Egwu Udensi, a steward
with Arik Air's cabin crew has been arrested by Britain’s security operatives at
Britain's Heathrow Airport in London for carrying 2.7kg of c
cocaine.
The Nigerian Drug and Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA), described it as “ a highly
embarrassing development for Nigeria's biggest carrier”
Arik said it was presently carrying
out its own investigation to determine how the cabin crew member came about the
suspected banned substance. Arik spokesman Ola Adebanji, said “Arik Air will
also be cooperating fully with the UK authorities and other appropriate
agencies in their investigations. The airline again reaffirms its commitment to
the fight against drug and illicit substance trafficking and will not tolerate
the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of banned items and
substances.
“Arik Air is a responsible Nigerian company always seeking to maintain and uphold the integrity and proud reputation of the nation. The airline will continue to focus its attention on measures to prevent the possibility of any future similar incidents." He added.
It is important to note that in
December 2011, a 29 year old Arik Air cabin crew, Chiwendu Uwkaoyenma, was also
arrested in London for drug trafficking. She was jailed for five years in 2012.
Already, the NDLEA, has threatened
to sanction Arik Air over the latest arrest of its crew member at Heathrow. It
has commenced its own investigation into the incident after being notified of
the arrest by the UK's National Crime Agency.
NDLEA spokesman Mitchell Odoyeju,
said that its chief executive Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, had personally ordered a
probe into what happened.
“The agency will carry out a full scale
investigation into this case to ascertain those behind the criminal act. We
shall work closely with our international collaborators on the matter and Arik
Airline will be sanctioned if found wanting.
“The agency shall invoke section 25
of the NDLEA Act against the airline, which states that it shall be the duty of
every commercial carrier to take reasonable precaution to ensure that its means
of transport are not used in the commission of offences under this act. Every
commercial carrier is to comply with appropriate security measures at points of
entry and exit in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other customs control
areas, to prevent unauthorised cargo in its means of transportation.”
1 comment:
Is anyone surprised with the report? Arik should be fined accordingly. This employee didn't carry these drugs by his own volition,he had accomplished that passed him thru the checkpoint at the airport . I am expecting s stiff penalty on this airline by the IATA too.
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