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Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA plans drug integrity tests for politicians, admission seekers

    NDLEA plans drug integrity tests for politicians, admission seekers

    The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), has stated that there is a need for politicians seeking public offices and students of higher institutions looking for admission to undergo drug integrity tests.

    According to a statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA boss spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a paper on ‘Drug abuse and national security: Way forward’.

    The statement quoted Marwa to have highlighted the need for politicians to undergo drug tests as elections were approaching in some states and across the country.

    “The need for politicians seeking public office and students seeking admission into higher institutions to undergo drug integrity test has again been emphasised by the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Marwa (retd.),” the statement read.

    He said there was the need for people to entrust the management of their treasury and their wellbeing in the hands of politicians with clear minds.

    He noted that no public office holder under the influence of drugs would be able to think straight.

    Marwa said the same thing applied to students seeking admission into higher institutions.

    He said because of the evidence-based strong nexus between drug abuse and security challenges across the country, concerted efforts must be made towards the drug scourge headlong.

    He said, “In this regard, we are doing our best in our area of responsibility in the NDLEA. There has been a paradigm shift in our approach to controlled substances

    “In the past 100 days, operatives of NDLEA nationwide have carried out non-stop offensive against drug trafficking, traffickers and abusers.”

    According to Marwa, the agency will not relax until it shuts down the drug pipeline while also cancelling out the drug demand-supply equation and mop up the cache of illicit substances in the country.

     

  • Why Buhari must convene national conference now – Anglican Primate

    Why Buhari must convene national conference now – Anglican Primate

    The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency convene a sovereign national conference.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Primate Ndukuba called on Buhari to convene the sovereign national conference of ethnic nationalities, groups and regions to address issues threatening the corporate existence of the country.

    The Primate gave the advice at the opening of this year’s Abuja Diocesan Synod that was held at the Cathedral Church of Advent Life Camp, Abuja.

    Ndukuba, who expressed concern over the present state of insecurity, destruction of public facilities and agitations said the conference would bring together political, traditional and other opinion leaders to proffer amicable resolutions for building a stronger and safer Nigeria.

    He stressed the need for state governments to take every step to secure their states and place National interest above personal ambition.

    While stressing that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable and must be defended, the Anglican Primate emphasized the need to allow State Police Force in all the states of the federation to check criminal activities at the local level.

    He commended the new style adopted by the leadership of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against illicit drugs and called for collective efforts in making the fight a success.

    According to Archbishop Ndukuba, the speed and desperations at which some Nigerians are getting involved in hard drugs is alarming and the country is becoming a strong hob for hard drugs hence there is a need for the authorities to stop the menace.

    Over Five Hundred delegates from all the Archdeaconries of Abuja Diocese attended the Synod with the theme: Planted by the waters,’ The beauty of walking with God.

  • NDLEA intercepts N8bn cocaine at Lagos Airport

    NDLEA intercepts N8bn cocaine at Lagos Airport

    A Brazil based suspected drug kingpin has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who also intercepted 36 blocks of cocaine, weighing 27.95 kilogrammes with a street value of over N8bn at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

    The suspect, Ejiofor Felix Enwereaku, was arrested at the airport on Friday 14 May 2021 “for importing 27.95kg of cocaine using their organised criminal gang, which specialises in tagging/planting drugs in innocent travellers’ luggage.”

    Spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said on Sunday in Abuja that based on intelligence, narcotic agents at the MMIA on Saturday 8 May 2021 intercepted a bag that arrived the Lagos airport from GRU, Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the Ethiopian airline with baggage tag No- ET331199 but was disclaimed by an arriving passenger on the flight.

    The disclaimed bag was promptly secured by NDLEA operatives for investigation.

    “On Sunday, 9 May 2021, a man came to the airport to make inquiry on how to get the disclaimed bag released, he was promptly arrested for investigation.

    “The disclaimed bag was opened in the presence of the arriving passenger and the man who came to negotiate the release of the disputed bag. When it was opened, it was found that the bag contained 36 blocks of cocaine, weighing 27.95kg.

    “A follow up sting operation was carried out, which led to the arrest of Ejiofor Felix Enwereaku, the prime suspect, on Friday 14 May upon his arrival from Addis Ababa onboard Ethiopian airline.

    “During preliminary interrogation after his arrest, he confessed to have been contracted by his Ethiopian associate who is a notorious drug baron to claim and push out the consignment in Lagos, Nigeria.

    “He further admitted to have paid the $24,500 bribe in three tranches to compromise NDLEA officers. The first was $10,000 delivered through his representative in Lagos and another $10, 000 via his First Bank account while the third tranche of $4,500 was paid at the point of his arrest,” Babafemi said.

    He added that the drug kingpin group is suspected to be responsible for recruiting traffickers to move illicit drugs to various destinations using Nigeria as their transit location and also planting drugs in the luggage of innocent travelers.

  • Hours after setting INEC office ablaze, gunmen attack another federal agency in Abia

    Hours after setting INEC office ablaze, gunmen attack another federal agency in Abia

    A National Drug Law Enforcement Agency office was attacked on Tuesday in Abia State, the agency has confirmed.

    According to NDLEA Abia commander, Dele Akingbade, the attack took place at 3am and was carried out by unknown hoodlums.

    However, he noted that the office was not razed down, no live was lost and only minimal damage was done to the building.

    “The attackers came in around 3am Tuesday morning, looking for seized drugs, ammunition, and intention to free suspects in NDLEA custody,” he said.

    “But prior information available to NDLEA on impending attacks on security outfits in the state necessitated the movement and relocation of the arms, including the suspects and seized drugs,

    “The attackers, on getting to the place, smashed some windows, destroying some office chairs.”

    He vowed that the command will continue the fight against illicit drugs.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the attack comes less than a day after fire gutted the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ohafia.

  • NDLEA reshuffles directors, creates new directorate

    NDLEA reshuffles directors, creates new directorate

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA ) has reshuffled some of its directors and created a new directorate to enhance efficiency and strengthen its operations.

    The agency made this known in a statement in Abuja, signed and made available to newsmen by the Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday.

    He said that the exercise was announced by the NDLEA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), retired Brig.- Gen. Buba Marwa, at a meeting with directors at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

    The statement quoted Marwa as saying that the new movement was to propel the agency to greater achievements.

    “In the new changes which take effect from May 11, the former Director of Administration and Establishment, Mr Ezekiel Epeso, moves to Technical Services as Director in charge.

    “The former Head of Internal Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Sani, becomes the new Director of Administration and Establishment; while Mr Pius Gamde, an Assistant Director, Legal Services, is now the Director of Internal Affairs and Provost Marshal of the agency.

    “The former Director of Technical Services, Mr Ahmed Ninigi has now been moved to a newly created directorate as Commander, Strike Force and Director, Special Duties,”the statement read.

    The NDLEA boss, according to the statement, said the various tactical and Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) teams across the commands had been merged and renamed Strike Force, which will now function under the new directorate headed by Ninigi.

    “NDLEA is now repositioned to effectively take on the drug cartels and syndicates operating in any part of the country.

    “We have to target the cartels and not only the traffickers; we have to put more bite,” Marwa is quoted as saying.

  • NDLEA busts online drug trafficking cartel in Abuja

    NDLEA busts online drug trafficking cartel in Abuja

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has busted a five-member cartel that specialises in trafficking illicit drugs and drug-based edibles online in Abuja.

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

    Babafemi said the cartel sold illicit substances such as marijuana, arizona, colorado and loud online to residents of Abuja and beyond, using the cyber space as its platform.

    “The group specialises in clandestine production of drug-based cookies, brownies and other edibles and marketing same online through their Twitter and Instagram handles.

    He said that five members of the organised criminal group were arrested during sting operations carried out between Friday and Saturday y the FCT Command of the agency.

    He gave the names of the suspected drug dealers as Queen Nvene and Chika Nvene(sisters) as well as Collins Ozoemena, Samson Peter and Habila Musa.

    “They also market and sell all types of marijuana; Arizona, Colorado and Loud, among other illicit drugs online.

    “While Queen Nvene, a graduate of Business Administration produces drug cookies, brownies and sells same on Instagram, Collins Ozoemena sells all types of illicit drugs, especially loud and skunk online.

    “Samson Peter on the other hand is the Manager of SK Express courier company, who manages motorcycles and dispatch riders to deliver illicit drugs from Collins and drugged edibles from Queen and Chika.

    “Members of the cartel operate from different locations within the Federal Capital Territory but operate as a network,” he said.

    The NDLEA director of media and advocacy said that their arrest followed online orders of drug-based edibles by undercover agents.

    He noted that supplies of brownies and cookies were delivered and received from different SK Express dispatch riders at various times by narcotic operatives before the final sting operation.

    He said 55 pieces of drugged cookies and brownies as well as 1.3 kilogrammes of skunk used as ingredient for making cookies and brownies were seized from the suspects.

    Other items seized from them were 0.9 grammes of ecstasy (molley), 300 grammes of skunk and 200 grammes of loud, dispatch motorcycles, various equipment, 10 telephone handsets and two laptops.

    He added that the suspected dealers admitted that they had been in the business for over three years.

  • Recruitment: NDLEA releases candidates list for final screening

    Recruitment: NDLEA releases candidates list for final screening

    Tnhe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has released shortlisted names for the final screening of qualified candidates for narcotic officers and narcotic assistants cadres.

    Its Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, announced this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the screening exercise, which was suspended in January due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will now proceed in batches in designated centres.

    Babafemi said the screening for NDLEA headquarters Abuja candidates within the recruitment categories and others, whose names were on the final list should visit its official website, www.ndlea.gov.ng.

    According to him, the names of the candidates are listed on the agency’s website and advised candidates to report at NDLEA headquarters, No. 6, Port Harcourt Crescent, Off Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, as follows:

    “Lawyers May 17, Specialised Courses and Languages May 19, Special Skill Candidates – May 20, and Doctors – May 21, 2021.

    “NDLEA Academy Jos, Plateau, candidates on the general list should report at the Agency’s Academy, Katon Rikkos, Jos, Plateau, for screening in the order of batches specified below:

    “Batch A: Nos 1- 242 (May 17); Batch B: Nos 243- 484 (May 18 ); Batch C: Nos 485-726 (May 19),

    “Batch D: Nos 727-968 (May 20); Batch E: Nos 969-1209 (May 21);

    Batch F: Nos 1210-1450 (May 22).

    “Narcotic assistant cadre candidates on the narcotic assistant cadre should report at the Agency’s Academy, Katon Rikkos, Jos, for screening in strict compliance to the order specified below between May 24 and June 8.

    “Batch A: Nos 1- 300 (May 24); Batch B: Nos 301-600 (May 25);

    Batch C: Nos 601-900 (May 26); Batch D: Nos 901-1,200 (May 27);

    Batch E: Nos 1,201-1,500 (May 28); Batch F: Nos 1,501-1,800 (May, 29).

    “Batch G: Nos 1,801- 2,100 (May 31); Batch H: Nos 2,101-2,400 (June 1); Batch I: Nos 2,401-2,700 (June 2); Batch J: Nos 2,701-3,000 (June 3);
    Batch K: 3,001- 3,300 (June 4).

    “Batch L: Nos 3,301-3,600 (June 6); Batch M: Nos 3,601- 3,900 (June 7);

    Batch N: Nos 3,901-4,165 (June 8),’” he said.

    Babafemi said candidates attending the screening exercise must strictly observe the COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical protocols and should arrive the designated venues on the specified dates.

    He added that candidates must present their guarantors form, and original and duplicate copies of their academic credentials, including birth certificates.

    “Proof of State of Origin, certificate of medical fitness from a Government Hospital, a pair of shorts and round neck white T-Shirts, Canvas and stockings.

    “Any candidate who fails to abide by any of the conditions indicated above will be disqualified instantly, ” he said.

  • NDLEA invades eateries in Plateau, Enugu, recovers drugged cakes, cocaine

    NDLEA invades eateries in Plateau, Enugu, recovers drugged cakes, cocaine

    Five persons have been detained by operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, after raiding some eateries in Jos, the Plateau State capital where freshly baked cakes made with cannabis sativa were recovered in addition to 48.726 kilogrammes of assorted psychotropic substances.

     

    The Plateau Commander, Ibrahim Braji, who announced the arrest, gave the names of the drug joints raided as KNL Lounge located along Lamingo Road and another branch along Mining Quarters, Rantya Low-Cost Estate, as well as Tuscany Lounge on Azaki Avenue, all within Jos metropolis.

     

    Besides the drugged cakes called brownie recovered from the three eateries, psychotropic substances also seized include Barcadin Codeine 14kg; Flunitrazapem 355.5 grammes; Tramadol, 370.1 grammes; Exol-5, 30kg; Diazepam 2.5kg and Pentazocine 1.5 kg, totalling 48.726kg.

     

    In another development, a 28-year-old lady, Oodo Ndidiamaka, was arrested with 80.23 grammes of cocaine and 3.81grammes of methamphetamine when operatives of the agency in Enugu State raided the Nsukka axis of the state capital.

     

    Meanwhile, operatives of the Niger State Command of the agency also arrested a 24-year-old 400-level student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Abel Godwin Idio. He was arrested in Gidan Kwano within the vicinity of the University for selling two strong variants of cannabis: Arizona and Loud, concealed in textbooks.

     

     

    The state commander of the agency, Haruna Kwetishe, said Abel used the inner pages of his textbooks to hide the drugs within the campus to sell.

     

  • Drug trafficker Obiora excretes 97 wraps of cocaine

    Drug trafficker Obiora excretes 97 wraps of cocaine

    A 47-year-old man, Chigbogu Ernest Obiora, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Obiora excreted 97 wraps of a substance that tested positive to cocaine with a total weight of 1.55kg.

    According to Femi Babafemi, Spokesperson for the NDLEA, the 47 wraps of cocaine excreted by the suspect has a street value of N360 million.

    “He was arrested about 1:16 pm on Sunday, April 25, 2021, during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline.

    He had arrived Lagos onboard the airline from Entebbe, Uganda via Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia,” Babafemi said.

    The Commander of the NDLEA at the airport, Ahmadu Garba said, Obiora was intercepted in the E-arrival hall of the airport by the operatives of the agency on the suspicion that he ingested a drug substance.

    “The suspect was taken for body machine scan and the result was positive for ingestion of substance suspected to be an illicit drug. The suspect was promptly moved to the NDLEA excretion/observation facility.”

    Barely an hour after he was arrested, Obiora was said to have excreted 31 wraps of cocaine weighing 500grammes and another 47 wraps (750 grammes) in the evening of same day while 19 wraps (300 grammes) were excreted the following day, Monday, April 26, bringing the total to 97 wraps, that is, 1.55kg.

    The suspect during interrogation revealed that he was promised $1,500 if he successfully trafficked the drugs, adding that he opted for the deal because he needed money.

    “I did it so that I will be capable of feeding my family. I was living in Madagascar but due to the COVID-19 and the lockdown in the country, I couldn’t go back to my place of work.

    “There was a time I started lacking money to feed my family and to pay my children’s school fees and the worst part of it is to pay my rent. So, I decided to take the option to do it,” he said.

    Obiora reportedly said he never knew he could be arrested while stating that he has never met the real owner of the drug.

    “I don’t know him, they contacted me on phone and asked if I can do the business,” he claimed.

    The NDLEA in the same release revealed the Ondo State Command raided two joints, arrested two dealers, and seized 80.2 kilogrammes of skuchies.

    Four hectares of cannabis farms was also destroyed in the Eleyewo area of Akure south local government.

    The acting commander of the agency in the state, Callys Alumona said a lady, 31-year-old Ibukunoluwa Kemi, and a 25-year-old young man, Oluwaseun Sunday were arrested with 78kg and 2.2kg of skuchies respectively.

    Both suspects were nabbed at different areas in Akure South, the state capital.

    Chairman of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa commended officers and men of the MMIA and Ondo State Command of the Agency for the seizure and arrest.

  • NDLEA arrests man with 97 wraps of cocaine at Lagos airport

    NDLEA arrests man with 97 wraps of cocaine at Lagos airport

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a suspected drug trafficker, Chigbogu Obiora, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos with 97 wraps of cocaine.

     

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

     

    Babafemi said that the 47-year-old drug trafficker was arrested by operatives of NDLEA on Sunday, April, 25 during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline.

     

    He said that Obiora, who arrived in Lagos on board the airline from Entebbe, Uganda via Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, was subsequently put under observation.

     

    This, he said, was why Obiora had so far excreted 97 wraps of substances that tested positive to cocaine with a total weight of 1.55 kilogramme and a street value of N360 million.

     

    Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Commander, MMIA Command, Mr Ahmadu Garba, as saying that Obiora was intercepted in the E-arrival hall of the airport by NDLEA operatives on the suspicion that he ingested drug substance.

     

    “The suspect was taken for body machine scan and the result was positive for ingestion of substance suspected to be illicit drug. The suspect was promptly moved to the NDLEA excretion and observation facility.

     

    “Barely an hour after he was arrested, Obiora excreted 31 wraps of cocaine weighing 500 grammes and another 47 wraps (750 grammes) in the evening of same day.

     

    “Nineteen wraps (300 grammes) were excreted the following day, Monday 26th April, bringing the total to 97 wraps, that is, 1.55 kg, ‘”he said.

     

    The NDLEA spokesman said that under interrogation, Obiora claimed he was promised $1,500 if he successfully trafficked the drug.

     

    According to Obiora, I opted for the ‘deal’ because I needed money. I did it so that I will be capable of feeding my family.

     

    “I was living in Madagascar but due to the COVID-19 and the lock down in the country, I cannot return to my place of work.

     

    “There was a time I started lacking money to feed my family and to pay my children’s school fees; the worst part of it is to pay my rent. So, I decided to take the option to do it and I never knew I can be arrested.

     

    “I have never met the real owner of the drug. I don’t know him, they contacted me on phone and asked if I can do the business,’’ Obiora claimed.

     

    Meanwhile, in continuation of efforts to dismantle all drug spots in Ondo State, Babafemi said that the state command of the agency has raided two joints.

     

    He said that the operatives arrested two dealers and seized 80.2 kilogrammes of skuchies (a cocktail of drugs combination), adding that four hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed in Eleyewo area of Akure South Local Government Area o fthe state.

     

    He quoted the NDLEA acting Commander, Ondo Command, Callys Alumona, as saying that a lady, 31-year-old Ibukunoluwa Kemi and a 25-year-old man, Oluwaseun Sunday, were arrested with 78 kg and 2.2 kg of skuchies respectively.

     

    He noted that both were nabbed in different areas of Akure South in the state capital.

     

    The Chairman, NDLEA, retired, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the officers and men of the MMIA and Ondo State commands for the seizures and arrests.

     

    Marwa charged them and other commands across the country not to rest on their oars in the renewed efforts to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs.