Tag Archives: Travelling

SSS Blocks Lawmaker From Travelling, Confiscates His Passport

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Sunday Karim, a member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State, is currently being prevented by the State Security Service from boarding a flight at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the lawmaker has said.

Mr. Karim, representing Yagba East and West Federal Constituency, says he was on his way to the United States when state agents suddenly seized his passport as he tried to clear immigration.

The lawmaker said he was scheuled to travel by Air France, and that the flight was already boarding when he was blocked.

Mr. Karim, a PDP lawmaker, said his luggage had already been checked in before the incident, adding that he has “absolutely no prior notice” that the SSS was on his trail.

It is not immediately clear why Mr. Karim is being detained, but law enforcement agencies have recently focused on the activities of lawmakers in the wake of the budget padding scandal.

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NDLEA Arrests Nigerians Travelling To China, Turkey, Others, With Illicit Drugs

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 38-year-old man, Godfrey Nwoye, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for concealing 1.283 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa inside garri on his way to Guangzhou, China.

Mr. Nwoye, who hails from Ukpommili Village in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, said he wanted to sell the cannabis in China and use the proceeds to buy goods.

Another suspect, Samuel Anele, a commercial tricycle rider aboard a flight to Bombay, India, was arrested with 4.892 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, the NDLEA said in a statement Wednesday.

Mr. Anele, 45, and other suspects were arrested for offences ranging from concealing illicit drugs in their luggage to ingesting the drugs, according to the NDLEA said.

The suspects were arrested on their way to Turkey, China, and Hong Kong with 8.876kg of various narcotic drugs.

“The suspects are helping our team of investigators,” said Nsikak-Abasi Udoh, NDLEA commander at the Enugu Airport.

Mr. Anele was caught with 4.892kg concealed in false bottom of his luggage aboard an Ethiopian Airline on the Enugu-Addis Ababa-Bombay route.

“Life is not fair to me. Every day it is one problem after another and the money I earn is not enough,” said Mr. Anele, from Ichi village, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“It was frustration that made me to smuggle drugs. They promised me that the drug has been properly hidden and that when I return they will pay me the sum of one million naira.

“At the airport, my bag was searched and the drug detected. Now I am now left alone to suffer.”

The other suspects, Emmanuel Chukwuebuka, was caught with 1.293kg of cocaine on his way to Istanbul, Turkey; and Eric Ukaeji was found with 1.408kg of cocaine on his way to Hong Kong.

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Ghana Airlines Bar Nigerian From Travelling

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Three Ghanaian domestic airlines have barred a physically-challenged Nigerian, Ndifreke Andrew-Essien from travelling.

One of the airlines had also refused to refund Andrew-Essien, a fellow of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

The three airlines, Africa World Airlines, Antrak Air and Starbow Airlines told the Nigerian, who uses a wheelchair to move around that she could not board the plane from Accra to Tamale because of her condition.

“I live in Port Harcourt (Rivers State) where I run a non profit organisation. I secured an internship with an organisation in Ghana and I was posted to Salaga which is in the Northern Province of Ghana. The route via air, is Port Harcourt to Lagos; Lagos to Accra and Accra to Tamale. My flights were booked by an agent. On getting to the domestic airport in Accra, I presented my ticket to the airline—Africa World Airline— where my reservations had been made for the Accra-Tamale stretch, but was called aside by the airline official who told me I would not be able to fly with the airline.

“He stated that the airline does not fly with wheelchair-bound passengers, because they don’t have facilities for such a purpose. I told them it wouldn’t be a problem as I had experienced the general lack of facilities when it comes to persons with disabilites. I assured the airline staff that I was ready to work with the airline despite its inadequacy,” Andrew-Essien told SUNDAY PUNCH.

However, her entreaties were rebuffed by the airline which she quoted as saying, “We don’t fly wheelchair-bound passengers. It is not our policy.”

The Nigerian said she was forced to travel by road which took about 13 hours to her destination.

“I do not intend this (discriminatory policy) to stop me from achieving my aim. Persons with disabilities are faced with all kinds of issues when it comes to inclusion. This is a clear example of how, in the 21st century, Africa is still not forward-thinking in building a continent for all its citizens.”

Andrew-Essien said she was calling on Africa World Airlines and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to reverse the discriminatory policy that prevents people living with disabilities from travelling. She also called on them to provide necessary equipment to travel with them.

All efforts made by our correspondent to speak to the airlines and Ghana’s CAA proved abortive as emails sent to them were not replied.

Credit: punchng