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Tag: NDLEA

  • Burba Marwa: We won’t allow ‘narcotic economy’ take root in Nigeria, NDLEA boss rejects legalisation of cannabis

    Burba Marwa: We won’t allow ‘narcotic economy’ take root in Nigeria, NDLEA boss rejects legalisation of cannabis

    The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd) on Friday said cannabis cannot be legalised in the country considering the current security challenges.

    Speaking during a public lecture in Akure the Ondo state capital, Marwa said “the proliferation of illicit drugs often engenders a pattern of crime, chaos and conflict.”

    The NDLEA boss was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) Otunba Lanre Ipinmisho.

    According to the NDLEA boss, hard drugs is the driver of high crime rate and violent killings in the inner cities of advanced world countries.

    “In developing or Third World countries, it is the escalator of strife, pogroms and civil war, and has played a big role in countries torn to pieces by tribal war, such as it is playing out in Syria, which has become the hotbed of Captagon, and Afghanistan, which controls the opium trade,” he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

    “We have seen narco-terrorism in countries like Colombia and Mexico where drug cartels are law unto themselves and are as powerful, if not more powerful, than the State. So, there are real cases, not scenarios, of where and how illicit substances played a role in a society’s rapid descent into chaos and tettering on the brink of a failed state.

    “So the pertinent question for us today is: Has drugs played any role in the festering insecurity in Nigeria? The answer is yes. Of this we have ample evidence.”

    Bearing in mind the security challenges across the country, Marwa stated, “We do not have the luxury of allowing a narcotic economy to take root and thrive in our society. Africa, nay, Nigeria has enough problems without adding the burden of narco-terrorism.

    “Of all the known illicit substances, Cannabis sativa is the only one that is native to Nigeria and it is the most abused of all illicit drugs, and from the findings of the National drug Survey of 2018, cannabis is becoming a national albatross”

    He equally warned that the population of Nigerians that depend on cannabis alone is more than the population of countries like Portugal, Greece or the Republic of Benin.

    Marwa therefore warned that the nation cannot afford to toy with the grim reality of the danger of legalising cannabis when all the needed infrastructure to monitor and control that are still far from being in place.

  • Recruitment: NDLEA announces new date for training

    Recruitment: NDLEA announces new date for training

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) has directed all successful second batch Narcotic Assistant (NASS) candidates to report for training between Friday, Dec. 3 and Monday, Dec. 6.

    This is contained in a statement by the agency’s Director Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi and issued to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

    The initial date for the training was Sept. 25 before the new date.

    According to Babafemi, successful candidates (Narcotic Assistants) are to report at the NDLEA Academy, Kotton Rikus, in Jos, with some documents.

    He added that the documents included original and photocopy of credentials with NDLEA online application reference slip.

    “Four copies of 5×7 colour photograph without cap/hat, writing materials, to include biro, pencils, ruler, notebooks and file jacket, among others.

    Babafemi said all successful candidates must observe the Coronavirus protocols, adding that any candidate that failed to report to the venue by 6pm of the stipulated dates would be disqualified.

  • NDLEA intercepts 24,311KG of heroin, codeine in Lagos

    NDLEA intercepts 24,311KG of heroin, codeine in Lagos

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted over 24, 311 kilograms of heroin, codeine, Arizona, and Colorado variants of cannabis in fresh drug busts at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, and the Tincan seaport, Apapa, Lagos state.

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

    He said the first seizure was on Friday, September 3, at the SAHCO export shed of the MMIA where two consignments containing 10.350kg heroin and 25.2kg cannabis from South Africa were intercepted.

    In series of sting operations between September 4 and 6, in different parts of Lagos, four suspects were arrested including Mrs. Bello Kafayat Ayo who was picked from Shino Street, in the Palmgroove area of the state.

    At the Tincan seaport, Apapa, narcotic officers intercepted a 40ft container loaded with 22,590 kilograms of Barcadin Codeine syrup on Monday, September 6, following intelligence received from international partners on the container since May 2021.

    “The container was also found to include 4,020.03kg of analgesic tablets and 47 cartons of insulated hot pots used to conceal the illicit drugs, all imported from India. Equally, on Friday, September 10, a consignment of Colorado weighing 17.5kg and hidden inside a Grand Caravan Dodge vehicle shipped in a 40ft container from Montreal, Canada, was also intercepted and seized at the Tincan port,” the statement read.

  • NDLEA intercepts drugged candies from UK

    NDLEA intercepts drugged candies from UK

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 22-year-old National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) member, Arnold Maniru, for importing four kilograms (kg) of drugged candies from the UK.

    NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi made this known this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said the corps member, serving with a government agency in Abuja, was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 28, following the interception of a consignment at the warehouse of a transport company.

    He said that a controlled delivery of the parcel, which contained the candies laced with arizona, a strong variant of cannabis and some liquid, were subsequently carried out.

    Also, operatives attached to courier companies in Lagos have intercepted 1.2kg of cannabis, concealed inside locally made cookies going to Dubai, Uniter Arab Emirates (UAE).

    Babafemi said that 920grams of cocaine hidden inside synthetic hair heading to Saudi Arabia were also intercepted in Lagos.

    “Another 1.08kg cannabis, concealed in spray cans going to Pakistan and 625 grams of methamphetamine, hidden in clothing heading to Australia were also seized, ” he said.

    Similarly, the NDLEA spokesperson said the agency intercepted over 500kilograms of illicit drugs, substances and arrested suspected traffickers in eight states.

    Babafemi said that a total of 384.7 kilograms of assorted narcotics being transported to the nations capital, Abuja for sale, were intercepted and seized at patrol points in Lokoja, Kogi.

    This he said were from Monday, Aug. 30 and Thursday, Sept. 2.

    He said that a truck with registration number, Plateau AA 462 QAP, driven by a 50-year-old Danlami Dodo, coming from Onitsha, Anambra, with Abuja, FCT as destination, was intercepted at a patrol point in Lokoja.

    According to him, upon a search, the following psychoactive substances were discovered, packed in sacks and cartons:

    “1,975 bottles of Cough Syrup with Codeine, weighing 282kg; 199 packets of Exol-5 tablets, weighing 75.4kg; 250 packets of Diazepam tablets weighing 15.4kg;

    “Cannabis Sativa weighing 5.9kg; and one packet of Ketamine injection, all weighing 378.7kilograms, ” he said.

    Babafemi said that a Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number Lagos MUS 716 XK, coming from Ojota, Lagos to Abuja was stopped and searched at the Lokoja patrol point.

    He said that six kilograms of Arizona was found sealed in cartons and stuffed in a white sack.

    “In Rivers , one Obey James was arrested during a raid with 4.2grams of heroin; 1.9grams of cocaine and 5.4grams of methamphetamine.

    “While in Niger , two suspects; Eze John and Michael Ifediegwu were arrested along Zungeru-Tegina road with 18kg of Exol, 5; 2kg of Tramadol and 1000 ampoules of pentazocine injection, all going to Kontagora in the state.

    “In Kano, a drug dealer, Chiduzie Ibegbunam, was arrested with 16.8grams of cocaine and 0.6grams of heroin, while 158,000 monetary exhibit was recovered from him, when his joint was raided.

    The NDLEA spokesperson said that 22 suspects were arrested and 43.9kilograms of illicit drugs seized In Nasarawa .

    Babafemi said that NDLEA operatives stormed notorious drug joints in Gadabuke forest, Toto LGA and Down base/timber shed, in Nasarawa LGA, dismantled and set ablaze their makeshift homes.

    “In Borno , Caleb Okezuonu was arrested with 352 bottles of Codeine Syrup and 876 tablets of Rohypnol in a raid.

    “Curiously, Caleb is on court bail, for two earlier charges filed against him by the the NDLEA command in the state. The latest, makes it his third arrest for drug offences.

    “During the raid, 11.5grams of Tramadol and N307, 255 monetary exhibit were recovered from another suspect who escaped and has been declared wanted, ” he said.

    Babafemi said that a military personnel, Anayo Nwamban was arrested for buying and planting cannabis on Friday, Sept.3.

    He said that Nwamban had bought 1.1kg of cannabis from Mami market and planted same in his elder brother’s house.

    He added that the suspect then made a report to the NDLEA office with a view to implicating his brother.

    “After the arrest of his supplier, he admitted purchasing and planting same in his own brother’s house, ” he said.

    Babafemi quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, as commending the commanders, officers and men of the commands for keeping the flame burning, and maintaining the heat on drug traffickers and dealers.

    He assured them that President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of their efforts and remained committed to improving their welfare, as they intensified the ongoing war against drug abuse and trafficking across the country.

  • Nigeria has highest number of cannabis users in the world – NDLEA Chairman

    Nigeria has highest number of cannabis users in the world – NDLEA Chairman

    Since January 2021, drugs worth over ₦100billion have been seized and about 1,630 criminals arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

    This is according to NDLEA Chairman, General Buba Marwa.

    Addressing journalists on Friday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Gen Marwa who gave a brief of milestones attained since he became head of the NDLEA, said it is sad how low the nation had coped as regards the illegal use of drug.

    “Nigeria has 10.6million cannabis users, this is the highest in the world, isn’t it sad?” the NDLEA Chairman asked rhetorically.

    While noting that the cash accruing from the seizures has been sent to the Central Bank, the former military administrator believed a nation with such a high record of drug use should not be contemplating the legalisation of marijuana.

    The NDLEA boss explained that scientists are yet to develop a way to make the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level in cannabis, drop to zero, and as such the recreational drug is still very harmful to health.

    “It’s a danger to society and we must never allow its legalization,” Mr Marwa argued, adding that “this is something we need to kill.”

    According to the NDLEA Chairman, legalization of cannabis is something that the legislature will never agree to because the lawmakers know the implications of such an action.

    “We can never support legalisation and I don’t see how the National Assembly will pass the act because I know 90 percent or more of the honourables and distinguished members in the National Assembly know the implications of their legislation.

    “They dare not go back to their constituencies if anyone signs the legislation because we are seeing the implications on the ground, the youths, the families all being destroyed because of cannabis and drugs,” Mr Marwa emphasised.

    Debates regarding a proposed legalization of cannabis in Nigeria have from time to time been brought to the fore especially since President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Gen. Marwa as NDLEA Chairman earlier in the year.

    The retired brigadier general who was a former Military Administrator of Lagos State has since taking office, stood his grounds against the legalisation of marijuana.

    In opposing the demands for the approval of cannabis in Nigeria, Marwa would always argue that the nation cannot afford to mortgage the lives of the citizens for financial gains.

    For the NDLEA Chairman, the agency will continue to burn down marijuana farms and prosecute whoever is caught doing the business.

  • Photo: Customs, NDLEA, DSS uncover, seize prohibited hard drugs concealed in imported machines at Apapa port

    Photo: Customs, NDLEA, DSS uncover, seize prohibited hard drugs concealed in imported machines at Apapa port

    Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Department of State Service have uncovered and seized cartons of Captagon Pills, a hard drug concealed inside the cylinder of an imported machine at the Apapa Port in Lagos State.

    According to a statement signed on Wednesday by the Customs Area Command Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Usman, the discovery was made through a joint operation that lasted for one week.

    This followed intelligence and painstaking dismantling of the machine by personnel and sniffer dogs, the statement explained.

    Security sources at the port also noted that the seizure is a fallout of a renewed synergy and cooperation aimed at curbing any form of port-related lawlessness.

    The heads of the three services insist that the operation will be sustained in the fight against all forms of smuggling and infractions.

    One suspect has been arrested in connection with the seizure while further examination and counting are ongoing.

    Preliminary findings have shown that long-term use of the drug leads to side effects extreme depression, lethargy, sleep deprivation (insomnia), occasional palpitation, heart and blood vessel toxicity and malnutrition.

    It has also been linked as one of the most common stimulants being taken by insurgents.

  • Legalising cannabis will cause setback for Nigeria – Marwa

    Legalising cannabis will cause setback for Nigeria – Marwa

    The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, on Monday condemned the move to legalise Cannabis Sativa in Nigeria.

    He called on all well-meaning individuals to resist such an attempt by some public office holders, saying it would frustrate the war against drug abuse in the country.

    “With over 8, 634 arrests; 2,776,000 kilogrammes of drugs worth over N100 billion seized; 1,630 convictions; 3,232 cases in court, and over 4,000 drug users counselled and rehabilitated between January and now, we are already making substantial progress in our drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

    Marwa, who spoke when he visited Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, added, “We are, however, convinced that the ongoing attempts by some of our elected officials to legalise Cannabis which is being abused by over 10.6 million Nigerians will be a drawback for the achievements so far.

    “This is why I want to implore Your Excellency and Kano State not to support the attempt to legalise Cannabis.”

    The NDLEA chief, who led top officials of the agency on a War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy visit to Kano, urged the governor not to support any bid by some elected officials to legalise Cannabis Sativa.

    NDLEA chief, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, presents a souvenir to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje during a visit to the Kano State Government House on August 30, 2021.

    According to him, the NDLEA is doing so much to cut availability and accessibility to illicit drugs across Nigeria and that any attempt to legalise the illicit substance will be a setback to the progress made so far.

    Marwa warned landlords to ensure that they do not accommodate drug traffickers in their houses, as the NDLEA would not hesitate to seek forfeiture of any property used to store illicit drugs when offenders are caught.

    He asked Governor Ganduje to support the NDLEA with 25 hectares of land to build barracks in the state and a property that would house a zonal command office in Kano.

    The anti-drug agency chief commended his host for making drug test a prerequisite for public officials and those aspiring into public office in the state.

    In his response, Governor Ganduje declared his opposition to any attempt to legalise Cannabis Sativa in the country even.

    For the governor, no lawmaker from the state will support such a bid in the National Assembly and the fight against drug abuse is key to winning the battle against insecurity in the country.

    He granted the requests for land and accommodation for a zonal command and assured his guest that the Kano State government would always discourage drug abuse and trafficking.

  • NDLEA arrests suspected kingpin for ingesting 87 wraps of cocaine

    NDLEA arrests suspected kingpin for ingesting 87 wraps of cocaine

    A suspected drug trafficker, Ibeh Kenneth Ejike, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for allegedly ingesting 87 wraps of cocaine.

    The agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, revealed this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

    Babafemi said the 41-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday, 25th August, 2021, upon his arrival on board an Ethiopian Airline flight 911 from Kigali via Addis Ababa.

    The suspect was taken in upon arrival for secondary check during which he tested positive to ingestion of illicit substance.

    According to the statement, while under observation, he excreted 87 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.884 kilograms.

    Ibeh, who imports cloths for sale, hails from Owerrizikeala village in Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra State, the statement revealed.

    Babafemi also said a Lagos based suspected drug dealer, Eze Celestine Okorie, was arrested following the interception of 4.15kilograms of methamphetamine consignment going to London, the United Kingdom at the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on 13th August.

    The statement reads: “The drug was concealed in tins of tomato branded ‘sunripe’ and packaged for the driver of a freight forwarding company to deliver at the airport export shed for onward movement to the UK.

    “Though the freight company’s driver was initially arrested, follow up investigations and subsequent sting operation led to the arrest of the kingpin behind the consignment, Eze Celestine Okorie, at his his Coker, Surulere, Lagos home on Wednesday 25th August, 2021. He hails from Isu village in Onicha LGA, Ebonyi state.

    “Meanwhile, raids of drug joints continued across the states in the last week. In Cross River state, one Anietie Attauba was arrested at Idundu community with 9.9 grams of cocaine, while 23-year-old Joy Odey was picked at Nassarawa Bakoko Area of Calabar Municipality LGA on Friday 27th August with 500grams of skunk. On the same day, one Ugwuanyi Chukwujekwu Basil was arrested at AK Divine Park, Harbour Road, Calabar with 2.6kg of cannabis; 10.33grams of cocaine and 30ml of swinol.

    “In Abuja, operatives of the FCT Command of the Agency also intercepted a Hiace bus conveying bags of cannabis, and 30 parcels of skunk, cumulatively weighing 310kilograms along Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway, where another 32kg of Tramadol was equally seized same day.

    “In Anambra state, operatives also raided the Onitsha main market, Marine Line on Thursday 26th August with the support of soldiers. Recovered during the raid include: 50kg of cannabis; 150grams of meth and 27.6grams of cocaine. One of the dealers, Moses Obiahu was arrested.

    “While commending the resilience of the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, Anambra, Cross River and FCT Commands of the Agency as shown by their latest arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their colleagues across the country to intensify the ongoing offensive action aimed at cutting off availability and accessibility to illicit drugs in all parts of Nigeria.”

  • NDLEA arrests drug dealer in popular Lagos church

    NDLEA arrests drug dealer in popular Lagos church

    A suspected drug dealer has been arrested in a popular pentecostal church in Lagos.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disclosed this on Sunday via a statement issued by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi,

    He said NDLEA operatives trailed the suspect to Ojodu Berger in the Ikeja area of the state.

    Channels Television gathered that the suspect – Stephen Afam Ikeanyionwu – had been on the wanted list of the anti-narcotics agency “for attempting to export 69.65 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, and cannabis to the United Kingdom through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA)”.

    His arrest followed the interception of a consignment of illicit drugs weighing 69.65kg going to the UK through the Lagos airport on August 12.

    “The illegal baggage had been sent to the airport for export through a freight forwarding company, which in turn gave a driver to deliver at the NAHCO export shed,” the statement partly read.

    “Following the arrest of the driver, follow-up operations and investigations later revealed the true identity of the actual owner of the consignment, Stephen Afam Ikeanyionwu, who was arrested three days later in a sting operation.”

    Also at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives also arrested an Italy-bound passenger, Abibu Miminu, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airways flight to Italy via Addis-Ababa for ingesting illicit drugs.

    The agency’s spokesman explained that the suspected trafficker excreted 68 wraps of heroin in three excretions, all weighing 800grams while under observation between August 14 and 15.

    “In the same vein, narcotic officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation have intercepted at two courier companies in Lagos 840 grams of Methamphetamine going to Australia and concealed in bolts.

    “340 grams of Meth hidden in locally made footwear and also going to Australia; 1 kilogram of cocaine coming from Ghana with the UK as destination and concealed in four local guitars. Also seized from one of the courier firms is another 480grams of Meth concealed in footwear and going to Australia,” the statement noted.

    Meanwhile, a South Africa returnee, Obi Chigozie Samuel, was also arrested at the Lagos airport last Sunday during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines from Addis-Ababa, for importing 58grams of skunk into Nigeria. During a preliminary interview, he admitted ownership and claimed to be a cannabis smoker.”

    Similarly, in strings of operations in Edo, Ondo, Kaduna, Kano and Kogi states, at least 2,504.8 kilograms of diverse illicit drugs were seized from multiple suspects in the past week.

    In Kogi, the agency nabbed a 60-year-old woman, Comfort Uzor, with 62.1kg cannabis on August 17 in Lokoja, where one Dayyabu Usman was also caught with 8kg of the same substance.

    While Uzor was said to have sourced hers from Bolorunduro in Ondo state and was heading to Abuja, Usman purportedly got his from Lagos and was taking it to Kano for sale.

    In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives raided the home of one Joseph Sunday at Ungwa Pama, Birnin Gwari area of the state and recovered 48.3kg of cannabis from his room following credible intelligence.

    Following a raid on Ugbuwe forest in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, 146 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 2,044 kilograms were seized.

    This is as one Ikechukwu Aleke was arrested in Kano State with 30,000 tablets of Tramadol, 225mg and 99 bottles of Codeine syrup. One Muktar Muhammad was also arrested with 370 bottles of Codeine cough syrup, weighing 60.4kg, and 900 tablets of Rohypnol

    One Sufiyanu Abubakar was arrested in Kano with 400 plastic bottles of Codeine cough syrup weighing 52kg. Mutta Hassan Wada, who allegedly specializes in using courier firms to send drugs to a recipient in China, using cooking spice bottles for concealment, was equally nabbed by the agency’s operatives.

    Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended operatives of the agency for strings of arrests and seizures in the past week, urging them to keep up the tempo.

    “We have all laid our hands on the plough, there’s no looking back, no retreat or surrender and as such I urge all our officers and men to intensify the ongoing offensive action until the last gram of illicit drug is taken away from merchants of death,” Marwa said

  • NDLEA nabs drug trafficker, Edith with 35 wraps of cocaine concealed in underwear

    NDLEA nabs drug trafficker, Edith with 35 wraps of cocaine concealed in underwear

    A suspected drug trafficker, Okafor Ebere Edith, has been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos with 35 wraps of cocaine recovered from her underwear.

    She was busted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Saturday during the outward clearance of passengers on Air Cotevoire, to Monrovia, Liberia at the MMIA.

    Femi Babafemi, NDLEA‘s spokesman, in a statement on Sunday said the suspect who allegedly tucked the pellets of cocaine in her underwear to beat security checks at the Airport was however picked up for search and questioning during which the wraps of the illicit drug were found on her.

    “During preliminary interview, she claimed her desire to make money pushed her into drug trafficking,” Babafemi said.

    Meanwhile, Babafemi said acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives from Kontagora Area Command of the Agency in the early hours of Thursday 29th July 2021 raided a warehouse at Mailefe village in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger state, where drug supplies for bandits operating in parts of the state were stored.

    He said after a thorough search of the warehouse, 125 bags of cannabis sativa were recovered while a man seen praying in front of the house fled into the forest when he sighted the narcotic officers from afar.

    Chairman/ Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the commanders, officers and men of the MMIA and Niger state commands of the Agency for their continued efforts in tracking down traffickers of illicit drugs in their areas of responsibility.

    He charged them and their counterparts in other commands to remain focussed and resolute in pursuit of the goal to rid Nigeria of illicit substances and drug related criminality.