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  • There’s urgent need to rid Nigeria of drug scourge – Marwa

    There’s urgent need to rid Nigeria of drug scourge – Marwa

    The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has called on all leaders and stakeholders across the country to see the urgent need to rid Nigeria of drug scourge.

    Marwa made the call at a public presentation of a book entitled: “Victory in Defeat” written by retired Brig.-Gen. Larinde Laoye on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    In a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi in Abuja, Marwa said that leaders at all levels must attach some urgency to the need to rid the society of the drug menace.

    Marwa said that it had become neccessary for NDLEA to advocate a new social order where drug test became the norm for couples as part of the wedding rites.

    He said that drug test for students as a continuous process starting from admission into tertiary institutions was not excluded.

    This, he said, included government employees as part of the employment process and periodic validation of their employment.

    He added that it was expedient to awaken the consciousness of the audience and indeed all Nigerians to the urgent need for them to support the NDLEA.

    He said the measures were efforts to save the country from the menace of abuse and trafficking of illicit substances.

    The NDLEA boss also said that it was the wish of the agency to see that the younger generation follow the illustrious path of Gen. Laoye.

    “Our record at the NDLEA in the first five months of this year calls for sober reflection.

    “More than 5, 000 arrests, more than 3, 000 charged to court with more than 500 convictions, 2,772 individuals were counselled and treated for drug-related problems.

    “More than two million kilogrammes of assorted drugs were seized and more than N90 billion worth of drugs and cash recovered.

    “These statistics are alarming and are red flags about the need to safeguard the future of the young generation.

    “We came from all the corners of this vast country of ours, north, east and west, united in a common purpose to honour our brother and felicitate an illustrious citizen.

    “In our common fellowship here today, there is no room for ethnicity, religious bias or political differences. We are here as one big family, as a microcosm of Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other dignitaries at the event included a former military governor of Lagos state, retiref Brig.-Gen. Raji Rasaki.

    Others are Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, represented by the GOC 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. G.U Chibuisi, the Olowu, Owu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu and Timi Ede, Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal, among others.

  • NDLEA nabs NURTW chairman, 3 others over drug trafficking

    NDLEA nabs NURTW chairman, 3 others over drug trafficking

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested a chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ijero local government area of Ekiti state, Babatunde Babade, 45, along with two others; Ilesanmi Shola, 35, and Babajide Johnson, 45, for trafficking illicit drug.

    NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement said the transport union leader was caught with 52.5kilograms of skunk in Akure, the Ondo state capital following intelligence that he was conveying bags of the banned drug in his 1997 model blue Mazda car with registration number: Ekiti JER194 AE from Akure to Ekiti state.

    According to him, “Babade, popularly called BB, was taken into custody along with others soon after his arrest at about 2pm on July 18, 2021 for interrogation.

    “In his statement, he admitted he owns the vehicle used for conveying the drug.”

    The NDLEA further said the car was earlier intercepted by some security agents who detained the two other suspects, his car and eight bags containing cannabis sativa while his brother who drove the vehicle fled.

    He, however, claimed that following Babade’s intervention, the security agents released the suspects and his car to him after taking two of the eight bags containing the drug and N60,000 from him, before he later ran into NDLEA officers while on his way back to Ekiti.

    Meanwhile, officers of the Benue State command of the agency have intercepted another suspected interstate drug trafficker, 29-year-old Odinaka Ugwuanyi along Apir road, Makurdi with 124,000 tablets of Tramadol, Diazepam and Exol-5, all weighing 22.55 kilograms.

    The suspect arrested at about 8am on Saturday, July 17, 2021 in a commercial vehicle, said he is from Nsukka local government area of Enugu State.

    He, however, claimed another passenger he knows who sat next to him in the vehicle dropped the bag containing the drugs with him and fled upon sighting NDLEA officers.

  • Drug trafficker Chioma, with multiple identities for trafficking drugs busted

    Drug trafficker Chioma, with multiple identities for trafficking drugs busted

    A 36-year-old lady, Chioma Afam, who reportedly uses multiple identities and wears hijab to evade security scrutiny has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in Benue State.

    She was arrested along with her partner, Peace Chidinma Caleb, 22, for trying to smuggle a total of 296,000 tablets of Diazepam and Exol-5 from Onitsha, Anambra state to Gombe state.

    A statement issued by NDLEA‘s spokesman, Femi Babafemi said Chioma who uses multiple names such as Amina, Uzoamaka and Ifunaya to cover her criminal activities was arrested on Saturday 17th July, 2021, along with the 22-year-old Peace Chidinma Caleb who also wears hijab as a cover for her nefarious activities during routine checks and profiling of inward vehicles into Makurdi, the Benue state capital.

    Their vehicle coming from Onitsha, Anambra state was intercepted along Makurdi – Alliade road while heading to Gombe State via Makurdi.

    A search of their vehicle led to the discovery of 43kilograms of Diazepam and 33kg of Exol-5, both weighing 76 kilograms with a total of Two Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand (296,000) tablets packed in four large ‘Ghana must go’ bags.

  • BREAKING: NDLEA arrests popular drug lord in Anambra State

    BREAKING: NDLEA arrests popular drug lord in Anambra State

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested a popular drug lord known as Okeke Chijioke in Anambra State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi made this known on Sunday in Abuja.

    The NDLEA’s Director stated that Chijioke was arrested at No. 3, Atunya street, Maryland Estate, Nkwelle.

    He stated that the agency recovered 548,000 tramadol tablets branded as “Tarkadol” at a warehouse belonging to Chijioke.

    Babafemi said Chijioke’s arrest on Saturday 10th July, followed credible intelligence and surveillance, which confirmed he stocked his warehouse with the illicit drug.

    According to him, after the search of his warehouse, 548,000 tablets of Tarkadol weighing 302.500 kilograms were recovered.

    “The suspect accepted ownership of the substance recovered. Preliminary investigation has established that Tarkadol is a brand of Tramadol that has just been introduced into the market to evade attention.

    “The substance has also tested positive to amphetamine. The drug was equally labeled 100mg pain reliever on its packs to avoid scrutiny, while laboratory tests confirmed it’s a 225mg drug.

    “It was further discovered that the drug was manufactured in India and smuggled into Nigeria without NAFDAC number or certification.

    “During the search on the warehouse, a double barrel pump gun with three live cartridges, which licence expired since 2019, was also discovered and recovered,” Babafemi said.

    The NDLEA’s Director further stated that this was even as operatives of the Benue State command of the agency on road patrol in Apir village on 14th July intercepted and seized 28,400 capsules of tramadol from one Dankawu Madaki, who hails from Misah LGA, Bauchi State.

    In a related development, a notorious interstate drug dealer, Godiya Linus, based in Taraba who supplied narcotics to dealers in Adamawa had been arrested in Numan area of the state.

    Babafemi said Godiya, an ex-convict, was in jail between 2012 and 2018 following his conviction on drug related charges.

    He said a drug dealer, Mohammed Ali, had earlier been arrested on 10th July with 1.150kg of diazepam in Numan.

    “A follow up operation led to the arrest of Godiya who supplied Ali, while investigation has since revealed that he is based in Mayolope village in Lau local government area of Taraba.

    “This was where he supplied Jambutu park in Yola and other parts of Numan, using an unregistered boxer motorcycle for distribution.

    “Few days after Godiya’s arrest, another dealer, Emmanuel Ishiwu was nabbed with different quantities of tramadol, exol-5 and diazepam, totalling 6.103kg also in Numan on 14th July.

    “This also was followed by the arrest of Muhammadu Garba and Shaibu Haruna with 48.500kg of cannabis in Gurin area of the state on Friday, 16th July 2021, ” he said.

    Babafemi quoted the Chairman, NDLEA retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa as commending the officers and men of the Anambra, Benue and Adamawa state Commands.

    Marwa applauded them for sustaining the offensive in the ongoing efforts to mop up illicit drugs from every community in all parts of Nigeria, charging them to remain unrelenting in the discharge of their duties.

  • NDLEA uncovers drug cartels in Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue states

    NDLEA uncovers drug cartels in Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue states

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has discovered three drug cartels allegedly supplying illicit substances to some states.
    The agency also recovered skunk and cocaine weighing more than 843 kilogrammes.
    NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi announced the discovery in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
    Babafemi said that the operatives also arrested no fewer than seven of the drug kingpins behind the syndicates in separate raids in Kogi, Nasarawa State and Benue.
    He said that the arrest was made as the offenders attempted to evade the frequent road interdiction efforts by officers of the Kogi command of the agency.
    He also said that the cartels were intercepted on July 12 at a jetty in Idah, Kogi, in a car marked Lagos SMK 345 CG, loaded with 487 kilogrammes of cannabis.
    “In Nasarawa State, a team of NDLEA operatives had on July 8 raided one of the most hostile drug joints in the state capital.
    “More than 356 kilogrammes of cannabis and various psychotropic substances were recovered.
    “This is addition to the arrest of four major drug dealers, including the most notorious drug kingpin in Nasarawa State.
    “His drug distribution tentacles cut across Kano State, Plateau, Benue and parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
    “Curiously, some quantities of cocaine were intercepted in Benue on July 8, July 9 and July 13.
    “Indeed, the supplier was arrested with 29.17 grammes of crack cocaine.
    “In another raid on July 13, the Benue command also seized some quantities of cocaine,” he said.
    Babafemi quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig.-Brig Buba Marwa, as commending the commanders, officers and men of Kogi, Nasarawa State and Benue commands of the agency.
    He said Marwa charged them not to relent but remain resolute in their commitment to rid every community of illicit drug peddling.
  • NDLEA intercepts N6.5bn heroin at Lagos airport, declares baron wanted

    NDLEA intercepts N6.5bn heroin at Lagos airport, declares baron wanted

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a consignment of 26.15 kilogrammes of heroin with a street value of over N6.5billion at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.

    It’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that the seizure was made at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) shed of the Lagos airport.

    According to him, the illicit drug had arrived Lagos in 25 parcels from South Africa through an Air Peace Airline flight on 30th June, 2021.

    He said that it was, however, detained for screening following reasonable suspicion of the content of the consignment.

    “A follow up operation was subsequently carried out the following day, 1st July when narcotic officers of the MMIA command trailed the driver and a clearing agent that were assigned to deliver the consignment.

    “Investigation revealed that they were to deliver to the house of a baron, Tony Chidi Onwurolu at No. 132 Lateef Adegboyega Street, off Ago palace way by Grandmate bus stop Okota, Lagos.

    “During the follow up operation, Tony Chidi Onwurolu, who obviously mounted a counter-surveillance around his neighbourhood, fled his home before the arrival of the team of operatives who stormed his residence.

    “They were however able to search his home and recovered a number of documents to establish his true identity,” he said.

    Babafemi said that the NDLEA Chiarman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retired), had directed that the fleeing drug baron be declared wanted immediately and his details submitted to Interpol for tracking across the world.

    He said Marwa had, therefore, directed the agency’s Directorate of Assets and Financial Investigations as well as the Directorate of Intelligence to deploy their networks to fasttrack the arrest of Onwurolu.

    Marwa said that in view of the volume of heroin brought into country by the fleeing baron, the agency would deploy all available mechanisms, locally and internationally, to track him and bring him to face charges in the law court.

    “Those who have been on the run for 10 years and some for five years, we have since tracked them and are now facing charges while cooling their heels behind bars.

    “The latest one will not be an exception, because he can only run but cant hide for too long before we get him,” Marwa was quoted to have said.

  • Recruitment: NDLEA releases list of 2nd batch of successful candidates

    Recruitment: NDLEA releases list of 2nd batch of successful candidates

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has released the list of successful candidates for the second batch of its Narcotic Assistant (NASS) recruitment.

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

    He said the agency had also updated the final list for Narcotic Officer cadre recruitment.

    Babafemi said that candidates on the updated list of Narcotic Officer cadre, were expected to report for training at the NDLEA Academy, Kotton Rikos, Jos, Plateau on July 17.

    He said those on the 2nd batch list of successful candidates for the Narcotic Assistant cadre will report at the Academy on Sept. 25.

    Babafemi added that both lists have been published on the agency’s website: www.ndlea.gov.ng.

    He said all successful candidates (Narcotic Officers and Assistants) were expected to report at NDLEA Academy, Kotton Rikos, Jos with the following:

    “Original and photocopy of credentials and NDLEA online application reference slip. Four copies of colour passport photograph without cap/hat.

    “Writing materials to include biro, pencil, ruler, notebooks and file jacket. Three pairs of white (unmarked) round neck vests and navy blue shorts (without stripes).

    “Others are two pairs of white and black socks. Two pairs of pure black canvas trainers (rubber type not acceptable). Two white bed sheets and pillow cases.

    “Two black trousers and white long sleeve shirts. One blanket (grey or army green colour). Two pairs of national dress or suit and casual wears with shoes.

    “Bucket, cutlasses and brooms to be purchased on arrival. Some pocket money and toiletries. Two black cloth facemasks, ” he said.

    The spokesperson urged all successful candidates to observe COVID-19 protocols at all times.

    He added that successful candidates who failed to report by 6.00 p.m. on Sept. 28 would be disqualified.

    Babafemi said the third batch list of successful candidates for Narcotic Assistant cadre would be released in due course.

  • BREAKING: NDLEA nabs Uber driver, Balewa University undergrad [Photos]

    BREAKING: NDLEA nabs Uber driver, Balewa University undergrad [Photos]

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an Uber driver, and two other suspected traffickers with different quantities of cocaine at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

    In a separate arrest at Iddo Park in Lagos, Ali Mohammed, a 27-year-old final year petroleum engineering student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, was arrested with large quality of cannabis sativa.

    Mr Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, disclosed the arrests in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said the Uber driver, Lawal Tunde Rasheed, was arrested at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO), export shed of MMIA on Tuesday, June 8.

    Rasheed was arrested when he brought a consignment from his client to a freight forwarder for export to Malabo in Equatorial Guinea.

    According to him, when the package was searched, 150grammes of cocaine, concealed inside two pieces of air freshener were discovered.

    “A follow up operation on the following day, led to the arrest of one Egbo Emmanuel Maduka, at his residence on Wednesday, June 9.

    “Investigations have so far confirmed that Egbo is behind the two seizures of 50grammes of cocaine in hair attachment and another 150grammes of cocaine concealed in air freshener, heading to Malabo.

    “The seizures were made on June 4 and June 8.

    “Also on Friday, June 11, a male passenger, Udogwu James Johnson, on Qatar Airlines from GRU in Brazil was arrested at D-arrival hall, MMIA, Lagos with nine wraps of cocaine.

    The cocaine which weighed 300grammes were hidden in his pants.

    Ali Mohammed, the ATBU student was found with 3.032kg of cannabis sativa following a tip off on Thursday, June 10.

    “Under interrogation, Ali who hails from Nguru, Yobe but was brought up in Lagos claimed that while on his way to the motor park in Iddo, from Obalende where he lives, he met an acquaintance named Ahmed.

    “He said the acquaintance upon learning that he was traveling back to Bauchi via Kano implored him to help deliver a travel bag,” he said.

    Babafemi said the bag contained the seized 3.032kg of cannabis sativa to be delivered to one Ugo who lived in Sabon gari, Kano.
    “
    Ahmed told the suspect that he will send Ugo’s phone number to him through SMS to facilitate the delivery of the consignment when he arrives Kano.

    “The suspect who admitted knowing that the bag contained drugs, however, denied receiving or being promised any form of gratification for agreeing to take the drugs to Kano,’’ he said.

    The director quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, as commending the MMIA and Lagos State Commands of the agency for the feats.

    He charged officers and men of the two commands not to rest on their oars, urging them to remain vigilant and intensify the ongoing offensive against drug cartels.

  • NDLEA intercepts 100,000 bottles of codeine syrup at Onne Port –spokesman

    NDLEA intercepts 100,000 bottles of codeine syrup at Onne Port –spokesman

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) has intercepted and seized no fewer than 100,000 bottles of codeine syrup with a total weight of 15,325 kgs at the Onne seaport, Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
    NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, in Abuja.
    Babafemi said that the 100mg illicit cough syrup with codeine packed in 500 cartons and concealed in a container marked MRKU 1565305, bearing made in India imported face masks, was discovered on Thursday, 10th June.
    The syrup was found in a warehouse at the Onne port complex during a joint examination by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) State Security Service and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), among others, he added.
    He said that the seizure followed intelligence received by the NDLEA, as a result of which the container was detained and moved to the Customs’ government warehouse within the port complex.
    The NDLEA spokesman added that no importer or agent had, however, come forward to claim the container, but that efforts were ongoing to track the owner for further investigation and prosecution.
    In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, (NAIA), have seized nine cartons of khat, weighing 146.95 kgs at the cargo wing of the airport.
    Babafemi said that the consignment, packaged as dried green tea, was shipped from Addis Ababa, on board an Ethiopian airline flight ET911.
    “After initial examination, suspicion was raised when a clearing agent was asked to report with the consignee before release, but failed to do so, for fear of arrest.
    “And this development led to a laboratory test on the consignment, which tested positive to khat and the eventual seizure.
    Babafemi quoted the Chairman, (NDLEA) retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa as hailing the synergy between various government agencies at the Onne port.
    He charged them not to rest on their oars as they continued working hard daily, to keep Nigeria safe.
    In particular, he commended the Commander, officers and men of the Port Command in the Rivers capital, and their Abuja airport Command counterparts, for their vigilance and commitment to the task of ridding Nigeria of illicit drugs.
    “The damage 100,000 bottles of codeine could have done to our youths, if they had slipped through the port to our villages, towns and cities, is unimaginable. 146.95 kgs of khat could have done the same damage if allowed to go unto our streets.
    “We’ll continue to motivate our officers and men so that they can give their best in the discharge of their responsibilities across the country.
    “We will ultimately, with the support of all our stakeholders and partners, win the battle against illicit drug trafficking and abuse”, he said.
  • NDLEA boss, Buba Marwa rejects moves to legalise cannabis, says Nigeria will turn ‘nation of junkies, criminals’

    NDLEA boss, Buba Marwa rejects moves to legalise cannabis, says Nigeria will turn ‘nation of junkies, criminals’

    The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa has warned that current moves by some stakeholders to push for the legalisation of cannabis in Nigeria will rob the country of the gains so far made in the renewed war against drug abuse and trafficking in the country.

    The NDLEA boss spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at a national security summit organised by the House of Representatives. He said the present figure of 10.6million Nigerians abusing cannabis is frightening and enough to sound the alarm bell.

    In a statement by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s media director, Mr. Marwa argued that the strong nexus between drug abuse and the security challenges across the country is incontrovertible.

    According to him, “Presently, there is no bigger national issue than the issue of insecurity in Nigeria. It is one of the big challenges, if not the biggest, threatening our dear country. Insecurity is today, a full-blown malady with many manifestations such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, murder, robbery, reprisal killing, name it.

    “Yet there has never been a government that is more committed to ending this spate of insecurity than the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The President has matched political willpower with resources, but the scope and frequency of these acts of destabilisation and the audacity displayed by the perpetrators call for a second, critical look at the malaise. The persistence of the problem has forced on us the necessity to start to look at likely extraneous factors that might be sustaining the resistance from the criminal elements and in doing so, try to connect the dots.

    “The permutations will lead to a list of probable causes, which will not exclude the use and abuse of illicit substances. In the final analysis, drug abuse is indeed one of the factors fueling insecurity.

    “The relationship between substance abuse and crime is a fact. What is clear is that no sane human being will rise against society to commit the kind of gross atrocities as we are witnessing in recent years, except such an individual has first hardened his heart with mind-altering substances. The use of drugs for perverted purposes is not a new phenomenon, neither is it something that just started in Nigeria. There are precedents in world history.

    “So beyond speculations and armchair theories, there is ample evidence, from report statistics and from empirical data from the field, to conclude that the use of illicit substances is a contributing factor to the worsening security situation in Nigeria. And if this is so, Nigeria should be the last country to consider a law to legalise marijuana in any shape or form.

    “Should we have such a law, we will soon become a nation of junkies and criminals. As such, I will like to caution that our lawmakers should not legalise cannabis because it will amount to taking a step forward and ten steps backward.

    “It will no doubt rob the nation of recent gains in the war against illicit drugs. In less than four months, we have been able to mop up over two million kilograms of illicit drugs, with over N90billion worth of illicit substances seized. Imagine if a fraction of this had found its way into our streets. We can’t be holding a national security summit and at the same time considering legalising illicit substances.”

    The NDLEA’s Chief Executive commended the organisers of the summit, saying it could not have come at a better time. He urged Nigerians to stand up and take ownership of the fight against insecurity in the country.