UPDATE | Abike Dabiri Denies Saying Egypt, Ethiopian Airlines Run Drug Cartels In Nigeria
Head of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has distanced herself from reports indicting EgyptAir and Ethiopian Airlines in the running of illegal drug business Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa on Thursday stated that media headlines on the subject were incorrect as they do not reflect her statement during the Senate committee public hearing chaired by Senator Kabiru Gaya on Wednesday.
The NIDCOM Chairman had during the hearing stressed the need for the two airlines to ensure compulsory baggage checks and identification as all drug cases recorded had involved both airlines.
The statement released through her media aide, Abdur-Rahman Balogun reads: "Dabiri-Erewa had during the hearing stressed the need for those two airlines to ensure compulsory baggage identification as all cases recorded on the issue of drugs had been from both airlines.
"Luckily enough, the representative of Ethiopian Air, who was at the public hearing, promised that baggage identification would be strengthened."
Dabiri noted that the Senate public hearing was geared towards probing the circumstances surrounding the framing up and eventual arrest of Zainab Aliyu in Saudi Arabia over allegation of carrying tramadol drug in her baggage.
She urged members of the public to discountenance the publication adding that it does represent what transpired at the hearing.
Also, In a tweet, she said the report was a misinterpretation of her submission.