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Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA seeks closer collaboration with EFCC

    NDLEA seeks closer collaboration with EFCC

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called for closer and stronger collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The agency said the measure would go a long way in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country.

    The spokesperson of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Oyewale said the new Kaduna State Commander of the NDLEA, Samaila Danmallam, made the call while on a familiarisation visit to the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC.

    Danmallam said he visited the command to explore ways by which the two agencies would collectively assist each other in the pursuit of their set out objectives and mandates.

    “Collaboration with the EFCC is very relevant and important, because in the long run the fight against corruption will help boost the entire image and development of our country.

    “So, the EFCC should be supported in this great service meant to improve the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

    Responding, the Kaduna Zonal Acting Commander, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Aisha Abubakar appreciated the visit and recalled the long standing relationship between the EFCC and the NDLEA.

    Abubakar pointed out that the two agencies have had course to assist each other in the course of investigating cases that fall within the mandate of either of them which led to the overall success recorded in such instances.

    She further assured the new state commander of the commission’s continued commitment to render necessary support to all stakeholders where necessary to move Nigeria forward.

     

  • Convicted baron loses VGC mansion, jeep as NDLEA arrests grandma for drugs in Lagos

    Convicted baron loses VGC mansion, jeep as NDLEA arrests grandma for drugs in Lagos

    A multi-million-naira mansion located at K-5A/2 Road 14, Victoria Garden City (VGC) estate, Lekki area of Lagos used as clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine by a convicted drug baron, Okenwa Chris Nzewi, has been forfeited to the Federal Government following his successful prosecution and conviction in court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
    Okenwa was arrested along with his associate, Sunny Okeh Ukah on 30th July 2022 and subsequently arraigned on four counts in charge number FHC/L/527C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Lagos. They both pleaded guilty on 17th July, 2023, while they were convicted and sentenced to four and three years imprisonment each with an option of fine of four million (N4,000,000) naira and three million (N3,000,000) naira respectively in addition to community service for four and three weeks each. His vehicle marked EKY 496 DJ was equally forfeited to the Federal Government.
    To further deny him of enjoying the proceeds of his criminal activity, the NDLEA filed a civil forfeiture charge against the building used as clandestine laboratory at the Federal High Court Lagos which initially granted an interim forfeiture order that elapsed on 6th December before the final forfeiture on 7th December 2023.
    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Friday 15th December arrested a 75-year-old grandma, Mrs. Sekinat Soremekun for dealing in illicit drugs. At the time of her arrest in Oshodi area of Lagos, quantities of cannabis and litres of codeine syrup were recovered from her. She claimed her son, Segun who is now at large supplied her the illicit substances which she retailed.
    In Imo, operatives on patrol along Owerri-Onitsha expressway on Thursday 14th December
    intercepted a way-billed consignment containing cocaine weighing 2.287kg. The shipment coming from Lagos was concealed in cellophane condoms, and heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A suspect, Isaac Okoh, 45, has already been arrested. No fewer than 10 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 100kg were recovered from the ceiling of a dealer, Ibrahim Yahaya, 35, when his house was raided in the Tudun Kofa area of Lafia, Nasarawa State on Friday 15th December while he was also arrested.
    At the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos, over 1.5 million pills of tramadol 225mg and rohypnol were intercepted in a cargo going to South Africa by NDLEA operatives in collaboration with personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
    Two suspects: Bada Olanrewaju Akorede, and Amusan Olufela Sharafadeen have so far been taken into custody in connection with the consignment, which consists: 1,050,000 pills of tramadol 225mg and 510,000 tablets of rohypnol.
    At the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja, operatives on Friday 15th December intercepted a consignment of 1, 496 bottles of codeine syrup at A.Y.A area of the city while a suspect, Ozioma Enoja, 31, was arrested in a follow up operation. Another consignment of 400 bottles of the same opioid coming from Port Harcourt, Rivers state was also seized along Abaji-Abuja highway on Saturday 16th December after which a suspect, Bala Ishaq was arrested during a follow up operation at Zuba motor park.
    While 17 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 195.8kg stored in a bush at Gbanke village, Orhionmwon LGA, Edo state were recovered by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 13th December, anti-narcotic officers in Ogun state intercepted two suspects: Edun Olowokou and Tunde Elijah at Alamutu roundabout area of Abeokuta with bags of same psychoactive substance weighing 279kg.
    In Borno state, NDLEA officers on Tuesday 12th December arrested Bukar Ali, 29, and Abacha Alhaji Fantami, 20, with 171kg of cannabis at Ngamdu, Kaga LGA, while three suspects: Jamilu Haruna, 22; Mohammed Hassan, 23; and Aminu Umar, 50, were nabbed with 57kg cannabis on Wednesday 13th December at Tsafe checkpoint, Zamfara state, when they were on their way to Zurumi, a village known as bandits’ enclave.
    At least four suspects: Ezekiel Monday Thompson, 56; Hezekiah Ime, 20; Nsikak Okon Jonah, 39; and Chidi Kalu, 44, were arrested with a total of 121kg cannabis and 5.1grams of methamphetamine in parts of Cross River state on Monday 10th December.
    The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign of the Agency continued in equal measure in schools, markets, worship places and others across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA advocacy lecture for students of St. Margaret High School, Ilesa, Osun; students of Federal Government Girls College, Shagamu, Ogun; students of Wesley Model Primary and Secondary School, Badagry, Lagos; students and staff of Government Junior Secondary School and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Yaryasa, Tudun Wada LGA, Kano state.
    While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, FCT, Imo, Edo, Borno, Ogun, Zamfara, and Cross River Commands for the arrests and seizures of the past week, as well as those of the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services for their diligent prosecution of cases in court, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to intensify the offensive action tempo against drug cartels as the yuletide season approaches while maintaining an equal balance with their drug demand reduction efforts.
  • NDLEA intercepts businessman with large consignments of cocaine at Enugu airport

    NDLEA intercepts businessman with large consignments of cocaine at Enugu airport

     Busts Katsina wedding drug party, arrests groom, 25 others; recovers illicit drugs going to illegal miners in Kano; nabs Beninoise, Nigerien, others Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Saturday 9th December 2023 intercepted at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA, Enugu, twelve (12) consignments of cocaine belonging to members of a Drug Trafficking Organisation.
    A businessman, Augustine Justine Emeka, 44, who claims he deals in copper wire was arrested at the airport upon his arrival from Douala, Cameroon via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Ethiopia airline with the 12 consignments consisting of seven hundred and ninety-seven (797) pellets of cocaine weighing 17.6 kilograms. During preliminary interview, the suspect admitted the cocaine consignments were for delivery to 12 different persons in the country.
    In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos on Friday 8th December arrested a fleeing suspect, Onyejiuwa Prince Ifeanyi, who has gone into hiding since 8th September following the seizure of a United Kingdom bound 20kg cannabis consignment concealed in tomato pastes tins at the SAHCO shed linked to him.
    In the same vein, operatives of the Seaports Operations of the Agency on Monday 4th December arrested a 45-year-old Beninoise, Jamila Fatiu at Ebute Ero Jetty in Lagos Island with 398 bottles of codeine cough syrup on her way to Seme border via a boat service.
    In Katsina state, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence disrupted a pre-wedding ceremony drug abuse competition in a community popularly known as Shola Quarters, Katsina and arrested 25 youths participating in the drug party. Operatives swooped on the suspects while they were busy taking turns abusing all sorts of illicit substances including a mixture of multiple drugs mixed in a plastic bucket. Though the groom, Musa Gwandi who organized the drug party along with his friends was not at the venue at the time the 25 others were arrested, he was however nabbed on Sunday 3rd December following a manhunt for him.
    On the same day, Sunday 3rd December, operatives in Anambra state intercepted a truck marked BEN 302 YS (Edo) and after a search, 5,612 bottles of codeine-based syrup; 57,800 capsules of tramadol and 5,100 ampoules of pentazocine injection, among others were recovered. The driver, Ambrose Oyamedan, conductors – Samuel Otejere and Obey Jonathan as well as the truck were taken into custody for further investigation. Two ladies: Chiemenam Akusoba, 25, and Chidinma Ibenwa, 28, were also arrested on Saturday 9th December with 15.8503kg of Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine and Cannabis sativa in Umuogbu, Nnobi and Onitsha respectively.
    At least, three suspects: Monday John, 50; Maryam Adang, 48; and Mohammed Lawal Musa, 36, were arrested in different parts of Kaduna state. While John was arrested with 28.4kg cannabis on Thursday 7th December, Maryam was nabbed with 18.6kg of same substance on Saturday 9th December, same day Musa, an indigene of Damagaran, Niger Republic was arrested with 34 kilograms of cannabis sativa along Abuja- Kaduna highway while he was on his way to Niger Republic with the exhibit.
    In Kogi state, a 20-year-old Adamu Nuhu was arrested on Monday 3rd December along Okene- Lokoja- Abuja expressway while coming from Onitsha, Anambra enroute Kaduna with 2,700 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 11,900 pills of tramadol 225mg and 100mg as well as 124,000 tablets of diazepam.
    In Borno state, NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 81,975 pills of tramadol from three suspects: Mohammed Abubakar, 25; and Hassan Mohammed, 25, both in Response Area, Bayo town while Suleman Hamidu, 27, was nabbed by soldiers on a follow up operation in Mubi town, Adamawa state.
    While Taye Ali, 43, and Okon Peter, 60 were arrested with 97kg cannabis at Kanisuru, Ipele area of Ondo state on Saturday 9th December, Nnabuke Christian, 29, was nabbed with 46,000 tabs of diazepam, 4,900 pills of tramadol and 6,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection at Gwagwalada area of the FCT Abuja. The suspect admitted that the consignment was for onward supply to illegal miners at Sabongarin Doguwa in Kano State.
    The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign of the Agency continued in equal measure in schools, markets, worship places and others across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA town hall sensitization lecture by Zone N command in conjunction with the Rivers State command of NDLEA for principals of secondary schools in Rivers State; WADA sensitisation lecture at Community Basic School, Abojupa Idi Igba Ilora, Oyo state; WADA advocacy lecture for students of Obalaoye Junior and Senior Secondary School, Ede, Osun; students of Government Secondary School, Michika, Adamawa; WADA sensitisation town hall meeting with principals of secondary schools in Cross River; WADA sensitization lecture at Government Girls Day Secondary School, Gusau, Zamfara and same lecture for traders at Cow Market, Awka, Anambra state.
    While commending the officers and men of the AIIA, MMIA, Katsina, Anambra, Kaduna, Kogi, Borno, Ondo, and FCT Commands as well as those of Seaports Operations for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to maintain the offensive action tempo while creating a balance with their drug demand reduction efforts.
  • NDLEA bust pre-wedding party, arrests groom, 25 others

    NDLEA bust pre-wedding party, arrests groom, 25 others

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its officials have busted a pre-wedding ceremony in Katsina, where a drug abuse competition held in a community popularly called Shola Quarters.

    NDLEA’s spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, who made this known on Sunday in Abuja, disclosed officials of the agency arrested 25 youths participating in the competition.

    Babafemi said participants were taking turns to drink a mixture of all sorts of illicit substances from a plastic bucket when NDLEA officers swooped in on them.

    “The groom, Musa Gwandi who organised the drug party alongside his friends was not at the venue at the time the 25 suspects were arrested. He was, however, nabbed on Sunday, Dec. 3 following a manhunt.

    “On the same day, NDLEA operatives in Anambra intercepted a truck in which 5,612 bottles of codeine-based syrup; 57,800 capsules of tramadol and 5,100 ampoules of pentazocine injection, among others were recovered.

    “The driver, Ambrose Oyamedan, conductors – Samuel Otejere and Obey Jonathan and the truck were taken into custody for further investigation.

    “Also in Anambra, two ladies, Chiemenam Akusoba (25) and Chidinma Ibenwa (28), were arrested at Nnobi and Onitsha respectively on Saturday Dec. 9.

    “They were arrested for being in possession of 15.9kg of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and Indian hemp,’’ Babafemi stated.

    He added that three suspects – Monday John (50), Maryam Adang (48) and Mohammed Musa (36), were arrested in different parts of Kaduna State between Dec. 7 and Dec. 9.

    “John was arrested with 28.4kg of Indian hemp on Dec. 7, while Maryam was nabbed with 18.6kg of same substance on Dec. 9.

    “Also on Dec. 9, Musa, an indigene of Damagaran in  Niger Republic was arrested with 34kg of Indian hemp on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway while on his way to Niger Republic,’’ Babafemi stated.

    He added that 20-year-old Adamu Nuhu was arrested on Monday, Dec. 3 on the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Expressway while returning from Onitsha and heading to Kaduna.

    Nuhu had 2,700 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 11,900 pills of tramadol in 225mg and 100mg as well as 124,000 tablets of diazepam on him when he was arrested.

    “In Borno, NDLEA operatives recovered 81,975 pills of tramadol from three suspects. Two of them, Mohammed Abubakar (25) and Hassan Mohammed (25) are resident at Bayo Town.

    “Soldiers nabbed the third suspect, Suleman Hamidu (27) in a follow-up operation in Mubi Town, Adamawa.

    “Taye Ali (43), and Okon Peter (60), were arrested with 97kg Indian hemp at Ipele in Ondo State on Dec. 9.

    “Nnabuke Christian (29) was nabbed with 46,000 tablets of diazepam, 4,900 pills of tramadol and 6,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection at Gwagwalada area of the FCT.

    “The suspect admitted that the consignment was for onward supply to illegal miners at Sabongarin Doguwa in Kano State,’’ Babafemi also stated.

  • Hoodlums shoot 3 NDLEA officers in Edo

    Hoodlums shoot 3 NDLEA officers in Edo

    Hoodlums have shot and injured three operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo, Mr Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, said in a statement on Thursday.

    Babafemi said that the armed hoodlums blocked and opened fire on the team of narcotic officers deployed to Opuje community, Owan West Local Government Area, following discovery of thousands of kilograms of psychoactive substances stashed in warehouses in the area.

    He said that the drugs were stored for distribution nationwide ahead of the coming Christmas and New Year season.

    The NDLEA spokesman explained that the community has been known to harbour criminal drug lords who cultivate Indian hemp, and “after harvest, build warehouses inside the forest reserves and employ the services of armed youths to protect the warehouses 24/7.”

    Babafemi said that the operatives had credible intelligence that the drug cartels had stocked the warehouses in the forest.

    “Some of the warehouses containing about 6,000kgs of cannabis were first taken down in Ujiogba forest in Esan West LGA last weekend.

    “The NDLEA teams however came under gunfire in the early hours of Monday Dec. 4, when they approached Opuje forest after the armed hoodlums had blocked all access roads in the community.

    “The NDLEA operatives were able to exit the area after over two hours of gun fight with the armed hoodlums.

    “Unfortunately, three of the officers were injured in the attack with one of them shot in the head while some of the vehicles used for the operation were riddled with bullets.

    “The affected officers were rushed to the hospital for treatment while the critically injured one had a major surgery on Wednesday Dec. 6, to remove the bullets in his brain,” he said.

    Babafemi recalled that 11 months ago, armed youths recruited by drug barons ambushed NDLEA officers who were there to destroy massive warehouses and tents storing over 317,417 kilograms, about 317.4 metric tons of cannabis sativa, on Jan. 18, 2023.

    “At least, four suspects: Omoruan Theophilus, 37; Aigberuan Jacob, 42; Ekeinde Anthony Zaza, 53, and Naomi Patience Ohiewere, 42, were arrested in connection with the drugs then,” he added.

    Babafemi said that the drug cartels have invested huge resources, cutting down economic trees in forest reserves and cultivating cannabis on a large scale, running into hundreds of hectares in Opuje community.

    In his reaction to the attack, NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa warned those sponsoring attacks on the operatives that they would be brought before the law to reap the consequences of their action.

    Marwa commended the professional conduct of the officers involved in the operation, saying that the incident would not deter the agency from the ongoing offensive against drug barons and cartels.

    ”These are merchants of death bent on destroying the lives of innocent citizens especially the youths for their own comfort across the nook and cranny of the country; we will take them down,” he added.

  • NDLEA seizes 8 tons of Indian hemp, 8,000 bottles of codeine in 8 states

    NDLEA seizes 8 tons of Indian hemp, 8,000 bottles of codeine in 8 states

    NDLEA seized at least eight tons of Indian hemp and 8,000 bottles of codeine in raids in Edo, Delta, Bauchi, Kaduna, Gombe, Kogi Anambra and the FCT in the last one week.

    Its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, stated on Sunday in Abuja that operatives stormed Ujiogba Forest in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo on Wednesday, Nov. 29 where they recovered 5,988kg of Indian hemp.

    He added that a 22-year-old, Mson Bunde, also known as Tete Peter Joseph, found in a hut on the Indian hemp farm was arrested.

    He stated also that at least 120,000 capsules of tramadol were seized by NDLEA officers on Nov. 27.

    The drugs, Babafemi added, were concealed in electronic music equipment loaded in a Jos-bound bus, but were intercepted on the Onitsha-Awka Highway in Anambra.

    “One hundred-and-twenty-three blocks of Indian hemp weighing 73kg were recovered from a suspect, Abdullahi Bello on Gombe-Bauchi Road in Gombe State on Nov. 29.

    “Operatives in Abuja also seized 168 blocks of Indian hemp weighing 101kgs from the store of a fleeing drug dealer in Kabusa area of the FCT,’’ Babafemi stated.

    He added that at least 8,000 bottles of codeine syrup were intercepted in a vehicle on the Abuja- Kaduna Road on Dec. 1 and the driver, Shamsu Isiyaku and his conductor, Muhammad Maina were arrested.

    He stated also that NDLEA operatives arrested one Ernest Esechie (30) with 44.4kg of Indian hemp on Gwantu-Sanga Road, Kaduna State also on Dec. 1.

    In Kogi, NDLEA officers arrested Ahmad Umar (18) with 46.4kg of Indian hemp at a check point in Kabba.

    In Bauchi, the officers arrested one Jamilu Zakari (32) at Kofar Idi with 125 blocks of Indian hemp weighing 146kg.

    On Nov. 29, NDLEA operatives recovered 542.3kg of Indian hemp from a suspect, Festus Egeogoli (32) when his base at Jakpa Road, Warri, Delta, was raided.

    Another 542.3kg of Indian hemp was seized from a store in the area, Babafemi stated.

  • NDLEA arrests 90 suspects, dismantles 13 illicit drug joints in Kaduna

    NDLEA arrests 90 suspects, dismantles 13 illicit drug joints in Kaduna

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kaduna State Command, says its operatives have arrested 90 suspects and dismantled 13 illicit drug joints in Kaduna.

    The NDLEA’s state Commander, Mr Samaila Danmallam, said on Sunday, that the arrest and the dismantling of illicit drug joints were made in the month of November.

    Danmallam also disclosed that within the month, 478.038 kilogrammes of various illicit substances were seized.

    According to him, among the 90 suspects arrested, 85 are males while five are females.

    He said the command’s drug demand reduction efforts had continued with various advocacy and sensitisation programmes across the state.

    Danmallam said this was to enlighten the citizenry on the ills of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

    The commander urged parents to always be watchful of their wards at all times.

    Danmallam also appealed for useful and timely information for proactive measures, urging that the fight against illicit drug  trafficking and consumption should be a collective responsibility.

     

  • NDLEA arrests suspected indian hemp farmer in Sokoto

    NDLEA arrests suspected indian hemp farmer in Sokoto

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has announced the arrest of a suspected Indian hemp farmer in Sokoto State.
    “It is the first such case in the history of the state”, the Commandant of NDLEA in the state, Mr Adamu Iro, told newsmen in Sokoto on Saturday.
    Iro said that the suspect, Anas Sani, was arrested in Sayinna village, Tambuwal Local Government Area, following a tip-off.
    He said that the suspect planted a foreign variety of cannabis sativa in his maize farm, which was uprooted by NDLEA operatives who stormed the farm.
    According to him, the suspect will be prosecuted after laboratory analysis of the uprooted leaves.
    He appreciated residents for their support to the agency and urged them not to relent.
    The commandant warned that cultivating Indian hemp and dealing in illicit drugs attract heavy punishment
  • We won’t tolerate sabotage of drug war, Marwa warns

    We won’t tolerate sabotage of drug war, Marwa warns

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has warned that there will be no room for internal sabotage in the renewed war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
    Marwa gave the warning in his remarks at the passing out ceremony of additional 2,500 cadets of Senior Officers Basic Course 16 on Thursday 30th November 2023 at the NDLEA Academy, Jos Plateau state. While reminding the gathering that the ceremony completes the addition of 5,000 personnel to the NDLEA workforce, he charged them to make their impact felt.
    According to him, “Within that 30 years, the world of illicit drugs had become complex and more devastating to society, and the dynamics of the Nigerian drug situation had become more dire. That was why the 2018 Drug Use Survey jolted Nigeria and sounded the alarm bell on the inevitability of arresting the situation.
    Hence, some 35 months ago, in January 2021, NDLEA was handed a lifeline to rejig its structure and improve its systems to counter contemporary drug problems. “Today’s passing out ceremony, coming after months of rigorous training, is one of the manifestations of the ongoing restructuring in the Agency.
    Having another batch of 5, 000 officers to strengthen our workforce will assuredly give the needed impetus to the fight against the abuse and trafficking of illicit substances. In the tradition of our noble organisation and according to global best practices, this batch of officers has been trained to be efficient drug law enforcement agents.
    They have spent the past months in training, where they have learnt the intricacies of drug law enforcement and know that their job demands sacrifice, loyalty, and discipline. I have no doubt that they are aware of their position as an important cog in the law and order system of society.”
    While welcoming the new Assistant Superintendents of Narcotics to the Agency, he said “I assure you that you are coming into this organisation at an interesting time when reforms are being implemented and plans have been laid for the next phase of action to curb drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
    “I must prepare your minds for the task ahead of you. The duties are such that there is no room for compromising the ethics of your profession or subverting the goals of the organisation. In our renewed campaign against illicit drugs, we are at a stage of ramped-up interdiction against cannabis, opioids, and other psychoactive substances. We cannot afford to decelerate our effort and we will not tolerate sabotage from within.
    What that means is that the injection of an additional 5, 000 officers must have an immediate and far-reaching impact on the campaign. In other words: everyone must make their effort count.”
    Justifying his charge to all officers, men and women of the Agency, Marwa who was represented at the ceremony by the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Victoria Egbase, said “We have seen the truth come back full circle in the past few weeks, whereby some of the world’s known abusers of cannabis have come out to tell the public they are either quitting or have been diagnosed with some ailment, notably emphysema, which puts them at risk of early death and mental harm. That should further add impetus to our collective effort to rid our society of the menace of cannabis and other such dangerous substances.”
    “For us in NDLEA, we hold our duty sacrosanct, and our duty is to do everything within the ambit of the law to cleanse our society of the menace of illicit substances”, he stated, adding that “we have shifted gears to become proactive by creating a number of goal-oriented programmes and efficient mechanisms, such as Offensive Action and War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy.”
    He warned the new officers that they must not be found wanting in the discharge of their responsibilities. “We are currently on the verge of expanding our presence to all 774 local government areas in the country. What that should tell our new officers is that there is work to do, and you cannot afford to be complacent or compromise the high standards we have set. On that note, let me also inform you that you must not fraternise with offenders of drug trafficking laws. Doing so is dangerous to your safety; it is catastrophic to your career; it sabotages organisational goals; and it is inimical to society’s wellbeing. Remembering this nugget of advice and abiding by it will ensure you a colourful and gratifying career”, he stated.
    He commended the leadership of the NDLEA Academy and its team of instructors for the success of the training.
    “I am proud to say that in less than two years, they have shown their mettle and successfully trained 10,000 cadets. This is historic for NDLEA”, he added.
    The NDLEA boss also expressed appreciation to the people and government of Plateau State; the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da. Jacob Gyang Buba; the management of FRSC Training School, Jos; the Nigerian Army and other sister agencies in Plateau State for their unwavering support for NDLEA.
    The ceremony was well attended by the Agency’s top officers, including the commandant of the NDLEA Academy, DCGN Hamza Umar, directors, and commandants.
    Dignitaries at the occasion include the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Josephine Chundung Piyo; Chairman, House Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin, his deputy and other members of his committee; Gbong Gwom and other traditional rulers as well as representatives of other security agencies among others.
  • NDLEA raids Osun illicit drug party tagged ‘unholy alliance’, arrests organizers

    NDLEA raids Osun illicit drug party tagged ‘unholy alliance’, arrests organizers

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA on Saturday 25th November raided a lounge in Osogbo, the Osun state capital where a night party organized for illicit substance abuse was going to hold and arrested some of the organisers who were found with drug exhibits.
    The raid followed credible intelligence that some persons were going to hold a night party tagged “Unholy Alliance…for Stoners and Drunkards” where different types of illicit substances were going to be sold and consumed by patrons.
    Soon after the organisers began to gather at Berrymist Lounge located at Ofatedo area of Osogbo to start the party, NDLEA operatives swooped on them, arrested them and recovered illicit substances of abuse and drug paraphernalia from them. Those arrested include: Ikotu Omolayo, 25; Fola Olabode, 30, and Akorede Adunni Ajibola, 22.
    The management of the Lounge has also been invited for further investigation. This comes on the heels of an earlier raid on Thursday 23rd Nov. at Area 5 forest reserve, Ile-Ife where operatives recovered 156kgs of cannabis sativa.
    Meanwhile, operatives in Ogun state on Friday 24th November arrested two suspects: Adamu Ibrahim and Nura Sani at Ileke trailer garage, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, where 859 kilograms of cannabis sativa concealed among bags of sugar in a truck for onward transportation to Mokwa, Niger state. The consignment was loaded in Ogbese, Ondo state and hidden among bags of cement in a truck before being transloaded into another trailer bearing sugar in Ogun state.
    In Edo state, operatives on Monday 20th Nov. stormed a warehouse at Obi Camp in Owan West LGA where they recovered 338kgs of cannabis concealed in sacks of charcoal, while in another operation in Ikhin forest, Owan East LGA, NDLEA officers seized 235kgs of the same psychoactive substance on Saturday 25th Nov.
    A suspect, Onah Kenneth Ikechukwu, 32, was arrested at Jattu, Etsako West LGA with 11,690 capsules of tramadol, 295 bottles of codeine syrup and various quantities of Molly, Cannabis and Methamphetamine on Wednesday 22nd Nov.
    A similar raid in Lagos on Wednesday 22nd Nov. at Enu Owa Street, Lagos Island led to the recovery of 40,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 440,000 pills of tramadol in a store belonging to a suspect, Ebuka Amechi who is currently at large. Not less than 135,600 capsules of tramadol and 950grams of cannabis were seized from two suspects: Afamefuna Ibekwe, 37, and Sunday Onweh, 41, at Nkpor, Akuzor and Ose-Ogbaijo, Onitsha, respectively.
    While 37,360 pills of different opioids and 250 bottles of codeine syrup coming from Onitsha, Anambra enroute Abuja were recovered from Muhammed Abba Khamis, 22, on Thursday 23rd Nov. along Okene- Lokoja-Abuja expressway, operatives in Ekiti state seized a total of 288kgs of cannabis at Odo-Owa forest in Ijero LGA on Saturday 25th Nov. At least, 116kgs of same psychoactive substance were seized from a suspect, Chinagoram Obaru, 24, who was arrested at Iju forest on Thursday 23rd Nov.
    In the same vein, Commands across the 36 states and the FCT equally continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation lectures in schools, communities, work places and others. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students and staff of Comprehensive High School, Abia, Udi LGA, Enugu; teachers and students of Dr. Nuhu Sanusi Junior/Senior  Secondary School, Dutse, Jigawa; students of Haneef High School, Jos, Plateau; students of Akinorun Muslim Grammar School, Ikirun, Osun; students of Zaibadari Michika Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary School, Michika, Adamawa; and students of Madarasatul-Islamiya Baichin Kako, Marna Gusau, Zamfara state, among others.
    Commending the arrests and seizures of the past week by officers and men of the Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, Ekiti, Kogi and Lagos Commands, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to continue to remain vigilant and double their efforts especially with the desperation of criminal networks to make money by all means as the yuletide season approaches.