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Tag: NDLEA

  • Prof. Haruna bags business day excellence in public service award 2021

    Prof. Haruna bags business day excellence in public service award 2021

    The Business DAY newspaper has recognised the outstanding performance of the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure(NASENI), Engr.Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna amongst over 100 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government assessed by a special panel set up by the newspaper.
    The Excellence in Public Service Awards is an annual recognition event that celebrates functionaries occupying strategic positions in the federal administration, who in the performance of their responsibilities, embody the best values of responsible policy formulation, operational delivery of excellence, and broad stakeholder.
    The awards are open to federal MDAs. The 2022 edition of the prestigious Excellence Awards-giving ceremony, which is 4th in the series, had 2021 activities of the MDAs in focus with the judges considering the respective remarkable successes achieved in fulfilment of the institutions mandates.
    The panel also considered the individual institution’s means employed to deliver the mandate such as stakeholder coalition-building and sustainability considerations.
    According to Business Day Panel’s assessment in year 2021, NASENI under Prof. Haruna’s leadership recorded impeccable achievements in areas of inventions, innovations and products development through multi-sector interventions.
    The verdict of the judges was that the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI distinguished himself as an administrator per excellence through the various innovations introduced to NASENI.
    Because of the leadership by Prof. Haruna, NASENI rose from an obscure agency in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to an agency that has contributed immensely to national development.
    The Business Day also affirmed that due to the activities of its leader, NASENI has contributed to the development of local content in the critical areas of education, agriculture, water and health, aviation and transport sectors of the economy.
    Notable also among several achievements of the EVC/CE was the research and fabrication in 2019 of the equipment(disinfectant sprayers) used in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the initiation of the 1st Made-in-Nigeria helicopter, E-voting Solution, Smart Prepaid Energy Metre(SPEM) and many more.
    Prof Haruna received the Excellence in Public Service Award amidst other winners like the Honourable Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Managing Director/CEO, National Inland Waterways
    Authority(NIWA),Dr.George N.Moghalu, Managing Director, North East Development Commission(NEDC), Mohammed Alkali, Chairman/Chief Executive National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) Rtd. Brig.Gen.Buba Marwa, Federal Commissioner National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. Others include: Executive Director,Rural Electricfication Funds(REF) Dr. Sanusi Mohammed Ohiare, Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission(NAICOM) Mr.Sunday Oludare Thomas and The Permanent Secretary, State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mr.Tijani Idris Umar.
  • NDLEA speaks on selling of Ikoyi Lagos property

    NDLEA speaks on selling of Ikoyi Lagos property

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) says it did not sell its office in Ikoyi part of Lagos State.

    The agency dismissed an anonymous write up going round on WhatsApp platforms that a certain former NDLEA chairman, sold off its headquarters office buildings in Ikoyi.

    The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Babafemi described the write up as a total distortion of facts as it stated that the NDLEA left its officers and men stranded.

    According to him, the agency wishes to state that buildings referred to in the circulating piece, which did not belong to it in the first place, served as its national headquarters before its relocation to Abuja some years ago.

    “It should be noted that a Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on Federal Government Landed Properties took over the buildings following a government directive

    “The directives stated that all vacated or underutilised government property be taken over by the PIC, sold and proceeds paid to Federal Government coffers.

    “At the time of relocation, 70 per cent of the agency’s headquarters staff moved to Abuja while the remaining 30 per cent are still in Shaw road office, Ikoyi.

    “This remaining 30 per cent will soon join the main headquarters in Abuja as soon as the new HQ building, recently bought by the Federal Government for the agency is ready for occupation, ” he said.

    Babafemi said that like other Federal Government agencies whose property were taken over by the PIC, NDLEA had no hand in the sale of the mentioned property.

    He said the agency does not know who bought them and for how much, as the presidential committee solely handled the sale.

    “The challenge before the agency at the moment is how to remove our officers and men who live within communities where they are exposed to dangers into secure barracks accommodation.

    “And this is a concern already being addressed by the Federal Government through budgetary provisions for the construction of such barracks across the country beginning from 2022.

    “Members of the public are therefore urged to disregard the anonymous write up, which is nothing but an embodiment of distortion and mischief,” he said.

  • Drug queen who concealed narcotics in travellers’ luggages nabbed at Lagos airport

    Drug queen who concealed narcotics in travellers’ luggages nabbed at Lagos airport

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 27-year-old drug queen, Mrs Opoola Mujidat in possession of narcotics concealed in fetish bowls at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja (MMIA), Lagos.

    The suspect planted the drugs concealed in fetish bowls containing scary native black soap and sponge on two Oman-bound male passengers, apprehended at the departure hall of the airport.

    The Director Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that the passengers: Raji Kazeem and Akinbobola Omoniyi were travelling together to Oman, the Middle East, on Ethiopian Airlines flight on Monday July 11, when they were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the airport.

    He said that a search of their luggage revealed wraps of cannabis sativa hidden in bowls of native black soap and sponge packed into a bag containing food items, which Kazeem was carrying.

    “Both Kazeem and Omoniyi immediately alerted the anti-narcotic officers that Mujidat who was still within the vicinity gave the bag containing the illicit substance to them at the airport.

    “She was promptly arrested. The lady accepted responsibility and stated that she brought the luggage for the two passengers to give to her husband in Oman.

    “Mujidat, who hails from Oyo East LGA in Oyo State, confessed during preliminary interview that the bag containing the food items were packed by her with different items, including the black soap used to conceal the illicit substance.

    Babafemi quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa as commending the officers and men of the MMIA Command for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity.

    Marwa warned the drug cartels that no matter the ingenuity of their modes of concealment, the dedicated workforce of the agency would always exposed them and their tricks.

  • Kuje jail Break: NDLEA recaptures fleeing inmate with drugs

    Kuje jail Break: NDLEA recaptures fleeing inmate with drugs

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have apprehended one of the terrorists Suleiman Sidi, who escaped from the Kuje Medium Security Correctional Centre after it was attacked by ISWAP terrorists on  last Wednesday afternoon.

    The fleeing terror suspect, Suleiman Sidi, was arrested in the early hours of Monday at the Area 1 Motorpark, in the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to board a commercial vehicle to Maiduguri, Borno State. When he was searched, three wraps of cannabis Sativa were found on him.

    Upon interrogation, the prison escapee confirmed that he was remanded at the Kuje  Medium Security Custodial Centre for terrorism and robbery charges, saying that he was one of those who escaped during the attack.

    Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (Rtd) has directed that the wanted suspect should be immediately handed over to the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCOs

  • Kuje jailbreak: Two inmates recaptured in Abuja, Suleja

    Kuje jailbreak: Two inmates recaptured in Abuja, Suleja

    Two inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Correctional Centre, Kuje, on July 5, following an attack on the prison facility have been recaptured.

    The two inmates were recaptured at different locations, according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the police command in Niger.

    Recall that scores of terrorists had on July 5, launched a daring attack on the facility and bombed their way in. They freed 879 inmates among whom were about 64 who had terror-related charges preferred against them.

    In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said that one of the fleeing terror suspects, Suleiman Sidi, was arrested in the early hours of Monday July 11.

    Babafemi said that Sidi was arrested at Area 1 motor park, in the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to board a commercial vehicle to Maiduguri, Borno state.

    “When he was searched, three wraps of cannabis sativa were found on him. During preliminary interview, the wanted terror suspect confirmed he was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre for terrorism and robbery charges

    “He added that he was indeed one of the inmates who escaped from the facility last Tuesday,” the NDLEA spokesman said.

    Meanwhile, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, the NDLEA Chairman, has commended officers and men of the FCT Command of the Agency for the arrest.

    Babafemi quoted Marwa as directing that the arrested fugitive should be immediately handed over to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

    Meanwhile, the police command in Niger has recaptured one of the inmates in Suleja who escaped during the recent jailbreak at the Kuje Medium Security Correctional Centre in Abuja on July 5.

    A statement issued in Minna on Monday by the command’s Public Relation’s Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said that a patrol team on surveillance between the General Hospital, Suleja and Bakassi, arrested the fugitive on July 9 at 8:30p.m.

    He explained that based on credible intelligence, the police patrol team stormed an identified compound and arrested one Kazeem Murtala aged 54 years.

    During interrogation, the inmate confessed that he escaped from Kuje Custodial Center during the attack and had been in custody for two years for an offence he committed.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Niger Command, Mr Monday Bala Kuryas, has commended the efforts of the patrol team.

    The statement quoted Kuryas as directing that the inmate should be handed back to the custodial center, which has been complied with.

    The CP equally appreciated members of the public for giving useful intelligence to the Police that facilitated the quick arrest of the fleeing fugitive.

    The command urged residents to continue to support with reliable information that could aid in apprehending other suspected criminals and to combat crime and criminality in the state.

  • NDLEA decorates E-Money as anti-drug war Patron

    NDLEA decorates E-Money as anti-drug war Patron

    Emeka Okonkwo, popularly known as E-Money, has been decorated as Patron of the War against Drugs Abuse (WADA) of Apapa Special Area Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Superintendent of Narcotics, Mr Thomas Ogbudu, on Friday in Lagos.

    The statement said E-Money was decorated by Mr Inalegwu Ameh, the NDLEA Apapa Special Area Narcotic Commander.

    WADA is an advocacy programme designed by Retired Brig -.Gen. Buba Marwa, the Chairman of NDLEA, to fight against illicit-drug consumption and trade in the country.

    “The programme adopts a whole-society-approach in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” the statement said.

    The statement quoted Ameh as saying that E-Money in addition to being a key-player in the maritime industry, commands a massive social media followership.

    “Being an influencer on social media is a veritable medium to influence many positively.

    “You are by this decoration enjoined to lead the charge against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

    “The maritime industry where you are a key player is being invaded by unscrupulous drug merchants to ship in drugs.

    “Also, the youth population that you are one of the influencers is the most vulnerable age group,” Ameh said.

    The statement also said that E-Money appreciated the NDLEA for considering him worthy, describing it as “a mark of great honour”.

    “Permit me to note that this decoration is not an accident because many years back I handed some unscrupulous elements who wanted to use my premises to ship in drugs to NDLEA.

    “I would like to assure NDLEA that I am committed to the anti-drug crusade and enable the crusade reach millions of my followers, especially youths, that follow me on social media,” he said.

  • Fmr BRT driver excretes 90 cocaine wraps in NDLEA detention

    A former Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Muyiwa Bolujoko, has excreted 90 pellets of cocaine following his arrest last week by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The agency’s Director of Media Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

    He said NDLEA had also intercepted 22 blocks of heroin weighing 23.55 kilograms concealed in packs of baby food at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The consignments, according to the agency, is worth over N4.5bn, and that they were flown in from South Africa on board a South African Airways flight on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

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    The statement said after a series of follow-up operations that led to the arrest of two freight agents, the actual receiver of the drug consignment, Chike Okeke Eweni, who distributes the substance for his South a South Africa-based partner, was arrested the following day, Thursday, June 30, at a logistics warehouse on Ajao Estate, Ikeja.

    “Chike, who hails from Anaocha LGA, Anambra State, claimed during a preliminary interview that he’s also into fish farming, the statement stated.

    The former BRT driver on the other hand, was arrested at the screening point before boarding a Qatar Airways flight en route Doha to Sharjah, with his trip expected to terminate in Dubai.

    The NDLEA said Mr Muyiwa Bolujoko is 39-year-old and hails from Ijebu South LGA, Ogun State.

    The agency said he was placed under excretion observation after a body scan result confirmed drug ingestion.

    “While in custody, the suspect excreted all the 90 pellets in four excretions. He claimed he left his N60,000 per month job as a BRT driver in February and decided to work as a drug courier to raise funds to buy a shuttle bus, popularly called Korope in Lagos, to continue his transport business.

    Meanwhile, the NDLEA said its operatives have arrested a 68-year-old woman, Mrs Celina Ekeke, at Obunku community, Oyigbo LGA, in Rivers State with 231.2kg cannabis.

    It also noted that one Shedrack Eze was also arrested at Yankarfe, Zaria, Kaduna State, with 250,000 tablets of Exol 5, weighing 75kg.

  • NDLEA intercepts N4.5b heroin in Cerelac baby food

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 22 blocks of heroin, with street value of over N4.5 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said the consignment, which were concealed in packs of Nestle Cerelac baby food, weighed 23.55 kilograms.

    He said the consignment came from Johannesburg, South Africa, on board South African Airways flight on Wednesday, June 29.

    This, he said, was a part of consolidated cargo that arrived the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) import shed of the Lagos airport.

    “After series of follow up operations that led to the arrest of two freight agents, the actual receiver of the drug consignment was Chike Eweni .

    “Eweni who distributes the substance for his South Africa based partner was arrested the following day, Thursday June 30, at a logistics warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja.

    “The suspect who hails from Anaocha LGA, Anambra, claims, during preliminary interview that he is also into fish farming, ” he said.

    Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the airport, had on Monday June 27, arrested a former driver with a public transport company, BRT, Muyiwa Bolujoko, for ingesting 90 pellets of cocaine before the arrest of Eweni.

    He said Bolujoko was arrested at the screening point before boarding a Qatar Airways flight, enroute Doha to Sharjah, with his trip, expected to terminate in Dubai, UAE.

    He added that the 39-year-old, from Ijebu South LGA, Ogun, was placed under excretion observation after body scan result confirmed drug ingestion.

    “While in custody, the suspect excreted all the 90 pellets in four excretions.

    “He claimed he left his N60,000 per month job as BRT driver in February, and decided to work as drug courier, to raise funds to buy a shuttle bus popularly called ‘Korope’ in Lagos to continue his transport business, ” he said.

  • Why we can’t effectively fight drug abuse, trafficking – NDLEA

    Why we can’t effectively fight drug abuse, trafficking – NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Borderland Special Area Command has lamented a shortage of manpower and logistics to effectively carry out the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the command.

    Mrs Archie-Abia Ibibio, Commander, Idiroko Special Area Command, made this known on Friday in Idiroko, Ogun.

    Archie-Abia also identified multi-plural border routes as some of the challenges confronting the command.

    “Everyday a new route is opened by the smugglers and illicit traders,’’ she said.

    She noted that the command lacked enough officers to man such routes “as these smugglers create canoe path when it is raining.’’

    “We need some more vehicles to do our mobile surveillance, advocacy, operations and multi-faceted interventions in the area.

    ‘’It is not about NDLEA but about a nation called Nigeria; the Idiroko border leads to the outside world, it has to be effectively manned,’’ she said.

    She appealed to the state government, individuals and corporate organisations to support the command for effective performance.

    Archie-Abia stated that the Agency cannot do it alone, but needs collective efforts from the stakeholders to fight the menace.

  • We must break illicit drug supply, distribution chains – Osinbajo

    We must break illicit drug supply, distribution chains – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) and other stakeholders to step up efforts toward breaking illicit drug supply and distribution chains.

    Osinbajo was the Special Guest of Honour at the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on Monday at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

    The event was organised by the NDLEA in collaboration with United Nations Office on Drugs(UNODC), MTN and EU.

    The vice president commended the NDLEA for the impressive number of drug users it had counseled and rehabilitated within the year.

    “The number of drug trafficking cases reported this past week proves that there is even much more illicit drug activity ongoing.

    “The expressed vision of the NDLEA goes beyond getting more drug criminals arrested; it is to have no drug criminals at all. We must therefore deepen the effort.

    “Relentlessly breaking illicit drug supply chains and distribution networks; discouraging drug use through intensive outreach and sensitisation; and also promptly prosecuting traffickers.

    “But above all, we must intensify rehabilitation of drug addicts because what we are faced with is indeed a public health crisis – a crisis that is taking lives, destroying families and shattering communities.

    “I am glad to hear that in 2021, about 8,000 drug users were counseled and rehabilitated by the NDLEA, and in the first half of this year alone, over 11,000 drug users have been counseled and treated.’’

    He said that there must be a multi-dimensional and holistic approach to tackling drug abuse.

    Osinbajo regretted that access to illicit drugs became easier with online sales and contactless drug transactions– both influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “However, the new normal still offers us opportunities for increased innovation in tackling this menace, through technology-based monitoring systems for promptly detecting and addressing drug market changes.

    “And also accelerating mobile outreach programmes, remote consultation, and treatment for those who suffer from drug use disorders and are without appropriate care.

    “ As much as the Federal Government through its agencies and the state governments will lead the charge with decisive policy initiatives, these strides must be complemented by changes at the family and community level.

    “The kind of change we seek regarding drug abuse cannot happen without the collaboration of families, faith-based organisations and community leadership at the local levels.

    “We must spearhead massive value reorientation across the country, reassessing cultural factors and systems that support drug abuse and trafficking.’’

    He said that communities everywhere must rise to this challenge, adding the Federal Government would continue to support the NDLEA to fulfil its mandate.

    The vice president said that through data-driven and evidence-based policy making, enduring and sustainable solutions to the underlying causes of drug abuse would continuously unearthed.

    “Once again, let me again commend the new, dynamic and greatly improved NDLEA, and appreciate the gallant officers for their service to our country.

    “We must also appreciate our development partners for the successes recorded so far and for their firm resolution to support the effort to ensure a clean and drug-free Nigeria.

    “We are winning this war; the days of the scourge of drug abuse and dependency are clearly numbered; but it will involve even greater investment in focus and determination for the long haul,’’ he said.

    Earlier in his opening speech, NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, said that the World Drug Report 2021 indicated that Drug use killed almost half a million people in 2019.

    He said the report showed that drug use disorders resulted in 18 million years of healthy life lost, mostly due to opioids.

    Marwa said that the concerns raised by the World Drug Report 2021 were not farfetched because in Nigeria.

    “We are beginning to see similar patterns from the findings of the National Drug Use and Health Survey 2018.

    “The survey recorded an estimated 376,000 high-risk drug users in the country, of which one in every five injects drugs.

    “And with a total of 80,000 People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), the risk of the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases was high and this in turn raises the stake of a public health crisis.

    “Hence, there was no questioning the rationale of treatment for drug users,’’ he said.

    He said that to check that to eliminate obstacles standing in the way of those that genuinely need help, the agency would unveil a toll-free, 0800-10203040, and the website, ndleahelpline.com.ng.

    On his part, Country Representative, UNODC, Oliver Stolpe, said that the UN had renewed its commitment to ending the scotch and supporting those who fell victim to it.

    The vice president afterwards, unveiled the NDLEA Testing Kit and presented gifts to students that excelled in the MTN Quizz 2022.