TheNewsGuru

Tag: Drugs

  • Just in: Days after Senator Kawu raised alarm that lawmakers use drugs, NDLEA operatives uncover drugs in serving senator’s house

    Just in: Days after Senator Kawu raised alarm that lawmakers use drugs, NDLEA operatives uncover drugs in serving senator’s house

    Barely one week after Senator Sulaiman Kawu raised an alarm that lawmakers use drugs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has recovered illicit drugs from the personal house of Kwara South Senator, Oyeyola Ashiru, attributing the lawmaker’s recent outburst against the agency to this.

    TNG recalls that Senator Kawu had granted an interview where he declared that lawmakers too are involved in illicit drugs business.

    Also, Senator Ashiru during plenary on October 15 said: “The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is corrupt and compromised…” calling for the establishment of another anti-drug agency.

    But the chairman of the agency, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd), during a briefing on Monday, said the Senator’s outburst was borne out of vendetta rather than based on any altruistic motive or national interest.

    Represented by the Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Marwa said the agency remains undeterred as it will continue to dismantle illicit drug networks including the one operating in the lawmaker’s house.

    Babafemi was in the company of NDLEA Area Commander, Offa Area Commander, Kwara State, Ayodeji Olaoluwa and the Officer in charge of Special Enforcement, Kwara State Command during the briefing.

    Responding to the accusation, Marwa said: “While acknowledging the great work of the Senate towards the upliftment of Nigeria and Nigerians especially their support for the ongoing concerted efforts towards the amendment of the NDLEA Act, the Agency however is duty-bound to respond to the unprovoked attack against it by Senator Ashiru during his contribution to the debate on a new bill for an Act to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.”

    He said the agency waited for a whole week hoping the lawmaker will clarify his position on such a weighty allegation against it but failing to do that, it is left with “no option than to come out and set the record straight for the benefit of other distinguished members of the Senate, our local and international partners as well as the general public.”

    He continued: “There is no doubt that setting up another agency is within the power of the Senate and if we are invited to contribute to the debate we will be willing to offer our opinion.

    “While we cannot fault the power of the senate on that, yet for a member of the upper chamber to have made such an unfounded and unwarranted categorical statement against the agency led us to look inward to see what could have been responsible for such a carpeting general statement.

    “What we found was shocking, and we concluded that his statement came from a place of vendetta and certainly not out of public interest or any altruistic motive.

  • Watch how NDLEA operatives uncovered drugs concealed in baby food containers (Video)

    Watch how NDLEA operatives uncovered drugs concealed in baby food containers (Video)

    Unrepentant drug peddlers have continued to innovate ways to conceal hard drugs as ever-ready NDLEA operatives unearth drugs packaged in baby food containers.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG report that the said drugs as captured on camera were properly packaged that ordinarily it could beat any security check.

    But NDLEA operatives uncovered products of these merchants of death.

    Watch video below:

  • Court dismisses Kyari’s appeal to drop drug related charges against him

    Court dismisses Kyari’s appeal to drop drug related charges against him

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal from suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Abba Kyari, who sought to have drug-related charges against him dropped. Kyari appealed a March 22 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, which refused to dismiss the charges against him.

     

    Kyari challenged the court’s jurisdiction to try him and four other police officers, arguing they had not yet undergone internal disciplinary procedures within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Justice Nwite had previously ruled that the Federal High Court’s authority supersedes the Police Service Commission’s powers.

     

    A three-member panel from the appellate court agreed with Justice Nwite’s decision and rejected Kyari’s appeal as unfounded. Justice Adebukola Banjoko, delivering the lead judgment, stated that there was no justification to alter Justice Nwite’s March 22, 2023 ruling.

     

    “In conclusion,” Justice Banjoko said, “this court finds no reason to disturb the findings and conclusions reached by the learned trial judge of the Federal High Court, and the ruling delivered on the 22nd day of March 2023 is affirmed. The learned trial judge is directed to continue and conclude the trial at the Federal High Court. The appeal is found unmeritorious and it is accordingly dismissed.”

     

    Justices Peter Obiora and Okon Abang, who were also on the panel, concurred with the lead judgment.

     

    Kyari, formerly head of the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT), is being prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) along with four IRT members—ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, and Inspector John Nuhu. They are accused of conspiring to traffic 17.55 kilograms of cocaine and unlawfully handling 21.35 kilograms of cocaine seized from two convicted drug dealers.

  • Breaking: Senate proposes death penalty for drugs offender

    Breaking: Senate proposes death penalty for drugs offender

    The Nigerian Senate Thursday amended the clause 11 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act to a death sentence on conviction.

    Prior to the amendment, clause 11 of the NDLEA Act reads, “Any offence for a person who has no lawful authority to do so, engages in the importation, production, manufacturing, processing, growing and planting of cocaine, heroin, LSD or any other drugs of similar nature. The offence is punishable on conviction with a sentence of life imprisonment”.

    However, the Senate while considering the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Right and Legal Matter and Drugs & Narcotics on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, uttered the punishment on conviction.

    The Senate therefore amended that the punishment on conviction of the offence shall be death.

    This resolution was sequel to the presentation of the report by the committee’s chairman, Senator Monguno Mohammed Tahir, where 46 sections/clauses of the NDLEA amendment bill were read in the red chamber.

    The Senate had resolved into the Committee of Whole for a clause by clause consideration of the amendment bill.

    On clause 11, Senator Ali Ndume argued that if the importation, production, manufacturing, processing, growing and planting of cocaine, heroin, LSD or any other drugs of similar nature must be reduced to the barest minimum, a stiffer punishment must be placed on the offenders.

    Senator Ndume recommended that such offence should be punishable by death. The amendment was thrown into voice vote with the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, representing Senator Godswill Akpabio who briefly stepped out of the plenary, slammed the gavel for the “Hi”.

    In a swift reaction, Senator Adams Oshiomhole questioned the amendment, saying caution must be taken when it comes to the issues of life and death.

    While insisting that the voting be retaken with the Senators indicating their hands and proper counting be done, Senator Oshiomhole argued that he owns his constituents a point of duty to represent them in all decisions of the Senate.

    Senator Jibrin, seating as Chair waved off the former governor’s observation.

    The report of the Committee and amendment made during the plenary were adopted accordingly. The bill was read the third time and approved.

    The Senate President, while commending the Committee chairman and the members, said the bill will serve as deterrent to would-be offenders.

  • WATCH moment NDLEA ops, again uncover drugs in car trunk, doors(Video)

    WATCH moment NDLEA ops, again uncover drugs in car trunk, doors(Video)

    Again, the NDLEA operatives uncovered concealed drugs in a car trunk, its doors during patrol.

    The car as captured in the video showed how the operatives literally used force to open the trunk, its doors to uncover the hidden hard drugs.

    Watch:

     

  • Video: WATCH moment NDLEA ops uncover wraps of drugs concealed in truck’s engine

    Video: WATCH moment NDLEA ops uncover wraps of drugs concealed in truck’s engine

    NDLEA operatives again last week uncovered hard drugs concealed inside engine compartment of a truck enroute Benue from Lagos.

    TNG reports the video vividly captured how the operatives uncovered the drugs properly wrapped in nylons.

    Watch:

  • TRENDING! WATCH moment NDLEA ops uncover drugs hidden in plastic cooler [VIDEO]

    TRENDING! WATCH moment NDLEA ops uncover drugs hidden in plastic cooler [VIDEO]

    NDLEA operatives last week, in a trending video, uncovered hard drugs concealed in a plastic cooler.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the operatives had to virtually empty the cooler before detecting the bottled drugs, as captured in the video.

    Watch:

     

  • Drug abuse fueling Insecurity in Nigeria – Marwa

    Drug abuse fueling Insecurity in Nigeria – Marwa

    Retired Bri-Gen. Bubs Marwa, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says drug abuse among Nigerians is the main driver of insecurity in the country.

    Marwa said this during the sensitisation and advocacy programme for women and youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday in Abuja.

    The NDLEA, in collaboration with Dr Aminu Gusau, organised the sensitisation programmes under the platform of WADA.

    The NDLEA boss was represented by Director, Drug Demand Reduction, Assistant Commandant General of Narcotics (ACGN)  Dr Ngozi Madubuike .

    He said that the involvement of women and youths in drug abuse had taken a frightening dimension in Nigeria adding that drug users now included young people, females and those living in rural areas.

    He also said that the problem of drug use among the youth was the problem of everyone which he said included the parents, the school, the general public and the youth themselves.

    According to him, the youth were the engine room of every society irrespective of tradition, culture and religion; the youth are vibrant, adventurous, energetic and brilliant.

    “Youth exhibit attitude both for the development of the society and at the same time for the creation of problems in the society.

    “Drug abuse leads to criminal offenses and this fuel insecurity such as armed robbery, murder, kidnapping, banditry among others.

    “This also leads to burglary and sex work. Evidences shows that young people use drugs for various reasons which include to relax, experimental/curiosity, to enhance performance among others, “he said.

    Marwa called on youths to shun drug abuse adding that it was harmful to health and had the potential to destroy their future.

    Earlier, the Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, commended the organisers of the sensitisation programme for choosing the topic considering the current trend of insecurity which he said was the most trying period.

    Gusau who was represented by his Special Assistant on intergovernmental issues, Mr Bala Chafe also believed drug abuse had been one of the factors that caused the prevalence of drug abuse in the region.

    He said that the target audience were the right group who mostly fell victims of this menace adding that that most of the social problems being experienced in the society today were due to drug abuse.

    “Kidnapping, banditry, rape, armed robbery among others are some of the negative consequences of this menace,

    “It is derailing the peace, progress and development of our teaming youth and by extension the nation, “he said.

    Also, the co-organiser of the sensitisation programme, Dr Aminu Gusau said that drug abuse was a complex and multifaceted problem that affected individuals, families, and communities worldwide.

    Gusau said that it does not only posed serious health risks but also contributed to social and economic challenges.

    He said that youths were the future of the Nation and played a vital role in nation-building.

    According to him, the use of drugs by the youth can have detrimental effects on the nation’s growth and development.

    “It can lead to a loss of productivity, increased crime rates and a burden on the healthcare system.

    “Let us therefore pledge to educate, empower, and support our women and youths in making informed decisions and leading healthy lives, “he said.

    According to reports various secondary school students, women and youths were present at the sensitisation and advocacy programmes

  • Sanwo-Olu promises to subsidise cost of drugs

    Sanwo-Olu promises to subsidise cost of drugs

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says his administration will provide health palliatives for the residents, by subsidising drugs to improve their well-being.

    Sanwo-Olu made the promise at Ikeja, during the 2023 Community Day Celebration, with the theme: ”Community Engagement, A Veritable Tool For Infrastructural Development In Rural Communities,” on Thursday.

    He said the health palliatives, which would soon be rolled out by his administration, would cushion the effects of high prices of drugs, as a result of the economic challenges in the country.

    The governor said the government was aware of the growing cost of pharmaceutical drugs in the country.

    Sanwo-Olu said the state government would provide subvention to citizens on medical products; as it was done in the transportation sector; as well as food distributions.

    ”We are not going to leave you in various communities; we will continue to provide amenities for all of you in the rural areas. We are going to reach out to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

    ”Today, we are here to appreciate you and thank you for your efforts aimed at developing the grassroots.

    ”As you know, we have slashed the transport fare. We have provided palliatives of foodstuff. We are going to do more.

    ”The cost of drugs is also rising. As a responsive and responsible government, we will also provide palliatives on medicines,” he said.

    The governor also appreciated the various Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the state for their support during the last general elections and for re-electing him and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

    Sanwo-Olu said more projects would be executed at the grassroots, adding that his administration had created the Office of Rural Development; and appointed a Special Adviser; to ensure speedy implementation of community based programmes.

    He said the Office of Rural Development was dedicated to taking complaints and addressing the needs of Lagos residents, particularly those in the state’s suburbs and rural areas.

    Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Rural Development, Dr Nurudeen Agbaje, said the theme of the event resonated with the state’s developmental agenda.

    Agbaje appreciated the CDAs in the state for their support, through self-help projects, which according to him had complemented government’s efforts at delivering dividends of democracy to residents.

    He also commended the winning CDAs for their self-help projects to develop their communities, with a call on other CDAs to support the government in infrastructural development.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the Community Development Advisory Council, Alhaji Azeez Amusat, called for the review of the state’s CDA constitution, with an appeal to Gov. Sanwo-Olu to construct a Community House as state secretariat for all the CDAs activities in the state.

    Amusat, who thanked Sanwo-Olu for his support and commitment to the welfare of residents in the state, appreciated him for the confidence reposed in the CDAs, particularly the distribution of palliatives to residents across the state, through the CDAs.

    During the event, four 18-seater buses were presented to the first, second, and third CDAs, namely Greenland Estate CDA in Eti-Osa East LCDA.

    Others are Royal Estate CDA in Egbe Idimu LCDA and Elepe Royal Estate in Ikorodu Council Area, while the best Rural Community Award went to Araromi CDA in Ibeji Lekki LCDA.

    Consolation prices of N500,000 each was also given to the fifth to 10 CDAs respectively.

  • Two Nigerian drug pushers nabbed in India with cocaine worth N63m

    Two Nigerian drug pushers nabbed in India with cocaine worth N63m

    Two Nigerian women, Adaeze Jaye, 43, and Success Chamika, 23, have been arrested with drugs worth over N63m in Rajasthan, India.

    Pushkar police arrested the two women with a total of 65 grams of Mephedrone (MD) and a cash of Rs 65,000 cash late on Friday, October 27, 2023.

    Police in a statement on Saturday, said Rs 65,000 cash, and a digital wave machine were also seized from the accused.

    The value of the seized drugs has been estimated to be approximately Rs 6 lakh, the police said.

    Police station in-charge, Rakesh Yadav said police have registered a case against both under the NDPS Act and started investigation.

    The higher officials and the control room have been informed, Yadav added.