TheNewsGuru

Tag: NDLEA

  • Recruitment: NDLEA releases list of successful candidates

    Recruitment: NDLEA releases list of successful candidates

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has released the list of successful applicants in its ongoing recruitment exercise.

    NDLEA spokesman, Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN) Jonah Achema made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Achema urged successful candidates to visit the agency’s website www.ndlea.gov.org for the list adding that those shortlisted had also been contacted via E-mail and SMS.

    According to him, the candidates had applied for different vacancies, some of which were invited for job competency test.

    “The affected candidates, numbering 5, 000, are to appear at the Agency’s Academy, Citadel Counter-Narcotics Nigeria, (CCNN), Katton-Rikkos, Jos, Plateau State for the screening and documentation exercise between January 10 and 23, 2021 at 0900 hours daily.

    “The candidates are divided into four different groups for the screening, in adherence to the COVID-19 pandemic protocol.

    “The order and schedule for the exercise according to the group into which the candidates fall are also indicated. They are expected to arrive a day ahead of their screening period,” said Achema.

    He added that successful candidates were expected to be issued letters of appointment and documented immediately upon successful screening.

    “Candidates are, therefore, to report for the screening exercise with their guarantors’ forms, originals and duplicates of academic credentials, birth certificate or age declaration and indigene certificates.

    “They are also expected to come along with certificate of medical fitness from a government hospital as well as a pair of shorts, T-shirts, canvass and stockings,” the NDLEA spokesman said.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the recruitment of 5,000 Personnel for the agency to boost its manpower in July 2019.

    The process began in August 2019, while the aptitude test was conducted in December 2019 and January 2020.

  • NDLEA captures 133 suspected drug offenders in Oyo

    NDLEA captures 133 suspected drug offenders in Oyo

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Oyo State Command, said in Ibadan on Friday that it arrested 133 suspects for various drug-related offences in the year 2020.

    This is a sharp reduction compared with the 201 arrests made in year 2019 even as there was a 28 per cent increase from the 3,703.58 kilogrammes seized in 2019 in the year under review.

    The Public Relations Officer of NDLEA in the command, Mrs Mutiat Okuwobi, made the revelation in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Friday.

    The statement indicated that 44 convictions were recorded during the year. The convicts are currently serving various jail terms ranging from six months to 10 years.

    It read that the command also seized 4,739.195 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian Hemp, and other illicit substances during the period under review.

    A total of 51 people are undergoing counselling while the command destroyed two marijuana farms at Ajani village in Ona-Ara and Oluyole local government areas of the state.

    The statement partly read, “There is hope for people who use drugs so parents and loved ones should never give up on them. Stakeholders must work together to get useful information on drug abuse to win the fight against trafficking in our communities.

    “The NDLEA command appreciates the support from the state government and other stakeholders during the year.”

     

  • NDLEA seizes 14.4kg of cocaine at airport

    NDLEA seizes 14.4kg of cocaine at airport

    Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Special Area Command, Abuja, have detained Elechi Kingsley (39) for attempting to smuggle cocaine from Brazil.

    The suspect, who is planning to marry in January 2021, was promised N3 million for the job.

    Kingsley was arrested during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline flight Et 911, according to NDLEA’s Principal Staff Officer (Public Affairs), Jonah Achema.

    Achema said Kingsley, an indigene of Umulolo Local Government Area of Imo State, has lived in Brazil for 13 years.

    “I am an adult and I am fully aware of what I was going into. I agree that somebody gave it to me but I offered to carry it,” Kingsley was quoted as saying.

    A 23-year-old Brazilian, Da Silva Mailson Mario, was also arrested for being in possession of a suitcase containing cocaine during the inward clearance of same flight.

    According to Achema, Mario, who spoke through an interpreter, decided to be silent on all questions put to him. He was only inquisitive about the jail terms his offence may attract in Nigeria.

    Achema said 14.4 kilograms of cocaine were seized from both men.

    The statement reads: “In the first operation, the command intercepted four packets of chocolate sweets of white substances which tested positive to Cocaine, weighing 7.2 kilograms, while 12 parcels of cellophane wrappers with whitish substances, which also tested positive to Cocaine, and weighing 7.2 kilograms, were recovered in the second operation.

    “The first operation involved Da Silva Mailson Mario, a Brazilian (23), who was arrested with a suitcase containing packets of chocolate sweet during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline ET 911 which originated from Brazil en-route Addis Ababa to Abuja. The second operation involved Elechi Kingsley (39) who was arrested with a bag containing cellophane bags during the inward clearance of same flight.”

     

  • NDLEA seizes 1,500kgs illicit drugs in Zamfara

    NDLEA seizes 1,500kgs illicit drugs in Zamfara

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Zamfara Command, has impounded a truck conveying 1,503.044kilogrammes of illicit drugs.

    The State Commander, Gabriel Adamu, stated this at a press conference in Tsafe town on Wednesday.

    Adamu said that officers of the command in Tsafe, acting on intelligence reports, intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number Anambra XY 200 FGG, along Gusau-Zaria expressway.

    He said the illicit drugs contained in the truck include Cannabis sativa 185kgs, Hypnox 11.5kgs, Diazepam 14kgs, Valinex-5 22.7kgs, Exol-5 310kgs and Codeine syrup 59.844kgs among others.

    Adamu said that two persons were arrested in connection with the seizure, adding that investigation was ongoing before further actions.

    He warned drug merchants to have a change of heart or face justice.

    The commander also solicited the assistance of general public to continue providing the agency with useful information.

  • Photos: NDLEA detects Cannabis inside sacks of Garri

    Photos: NDLEA detects Cannabis inside sacks of Garri

    Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State have foiled a criminal attempt to smuggle eighty-three (83) kilograms of cannabis sativa concealed inside sacks of garri out of the State amidst the covid 19 lockdown.

    The interception of the dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis took place Aviele trailer park, Etsako West Local Government Area of the State.

    NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mr. Buba Wakawa who announced the latest operational breakthrough in Benin City also commended operatives of the Auchi Area command for the spectacular drug seizure.

    According to him, “officers attached to the Auchi Area command acting on intelligence report raided the popular trailer park at Aviele where the dried weeds of cannabis hidden inside eight (8) sacks of garri were intercepted while preparing to smuggle the drugs out of the State. This is a very successful operation and I commend the officers for their commitment and ingenuity”.

    While describing the mode of concealment as “cunning”, the commander said that preliminary investigation had revealed that a local cannabis snuggling cartel in the area is behind the cannabis consignment.

    In a related operation at Uzebba forest, the command also recovered twenty (20) kilogrammes of cannabis seeds and thirteen (13) kilogrammes of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis. The commander, therefore, warned that drug traffickers in the State must quit the criminal act or be prepared for the legal consequences.

    “The early detection of the drugs despite the mode of concealment is a clear signal that the activities of cannabis cartels cannot escape our strict supervision. We are prepared to remain proactive in our counter- narcotics efforts. This way we will continue to subject drug traffickers to the laws of the country to serve as a deterrent to others who might be tempted to indulge in drug trafficking” the commander warned.

  • NDLEA opens up on large supplies of weapons, cannabis seized in Edo State

    NDLEA opens up on large supplies of weapons, cannabis seized in Edo State

    The Edo State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Benin City has described as unfounded the claim of large supplies of arms, ammunition, and cannabis seized by Edo youths in a video trending in the social media.

    State commander, Mr. Buba Wakawa said that the video is a mischievous attempt by some criminal-minded individuals to unnecessarily heighten political and ethnic tensions in the State despite the prevailing peace and security.

    “I am shocked by the deceit and false claim because the video being circulated was the seizure of a truck containing Cannabis Sativa that was intercepted by the Edo State command in November 2016.

    “The case was charged to court and the perpetrators duly convicted. Unfortunately, the same video is being used to spread rumours aimed at creating fear and insecurity in the State. It is completely spurious and should be ignored,” Wakawa stated.

    https://twitter.com/ClemMoses/status/1263212143895330817?s=19

    The false video urged Nigerians especially Southerners to be vigilant because supplies of ammunitions to Benin City have been intercepted by Benin youths at Aduwawa area of the State capital meant for Hausa community.

    Wakawa added that in November 2016, the command intercepted a Dangote Truck at Enweh with 7,950kgs of dried cannabis concealed in bags of cement.

    Investigation revealed that the driver, Segiru Amadu collected the sum of 1.3 million naira to transport the drugs to Maiduguri. The Agency got excellent cooperation from Dangote Cement Company in the said case.

    The driver who fled the scene of seizure was arrested by Dangote Cement Company and charged for breach of contract before a Kogi State Magistrate Court.

    After serving his jail term in Kogi, he was brought to Edo State for the criminal trial of unlawful transportation of cannabis for which he was also convicted.

    Subsequently, Dangote Cement Company was given a clean bill of non-complicity in the case and equally commended for its high level of cooperation.

    The commander further clarified that the cannabis seizure in 2016 has nothing to do with firearms or the management of Dangote Company, stressing that the good reputation of Dangote Group of Companies should not be smeared.

    The Agency maintained that investigation will be conducted to uncover those behind the calumny and punish them accordingly.

  • COVID-19 infects NDLEA staff in Benue

    COVID-19 infects NDLEA staff in Benue

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has confirmed a fresh case of Covid-19 infection in the State.

    Ortom, who made the confirmation on Tuesday in Makurdi while briefing journalists, said the victim, Mr Edward Manger, a returnee from Kano worked with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    He said the victim came into the state from Kano towards the end of April.

    Ortom said the victim had been taken to the Federal Medical Centre in the outskirts of Makurdi for treatment.

    The State now has two cases,the first being a female returnee from the UK, who is currently quarantined at the National Hospital Abuja.

  • Drug trafficking: NDLEA secures release of Nigerian held by Saudi Arabia for three years

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has secured the freedom of one Ibrahim Abubakar, a Nigerian held in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking.

    Ibrahim was released after three years of incarceration in the Middle Eastern country following presentations from investigation reports by NDLEA that exonerated him.

    Abubakar was arrested upon arrival in Saudi Arabia when his luggage was found to contain 1, 497 tablets of illicit tramadol.

    He has been standing trial since 2017 in Saudi Arabia where punishment for drug trafficking is execution.

    The Agency said they presented evidence that proved that the drugs were planted on Ibrahim and he was innocent of the crime he was accused of. Three persons have been arrested for planting the drugs on Ibrahim.

    There were contained in a statement by the Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs, of the Agency, Jonah Achema, made available to The Nation in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The statement read in part, “Efforts by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to secure freedom for Ibrahim Ibrahim Abubakar, a Nigerian held by Saudi Arabia for Drug Trafficking has finally paid off. Abubakar has been released after three years of incarceration in Saudi following presentations from investigation reports by NDLEA that exonerated him.

    “A delegation from Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, and Zamfara State Government, the home state of Abubakar, arrived in Jeddah with documentary evidence provided by NDLEA for the trial slated for 18th February 2020.

    “The documentary evidence included a correspondent from NDLEA stating that it had arrested and charged three persons who planted the Tramadol tablets on the defendant and a certified copy of the two counts charge sheet from the Federal High Court Kano. These documents were provided to the Saudi Court after which it ruled in favour of Ibrahim and discharged him.

    “On December 15, 2017, a letter of complaint was written by Malam Gwani Sadiq Siddiq from Zamfara seeking NDLEA to intervene on the arrest of Abubakar by the Saudi Anti-narcotic officials. The Agency swung into investigation, which revealed that Abubakar travelled to Saudi on March 10, 2017 through Malam Aminu Kano International Airport and was arrested by the Saudi Anti-narcotic officials at Medina Airport for importing 1, 497 tablets of Tramadol. The substance was allegedly concealed in a bag and tagged to his passport at MAKIA by his travel agent named Mahmood Sani and two other handlers at the Airport, one Mrs. Celina Yaycock and Mr. Anthony Johnson.

    “These suspects have since been charged to Federal High Court, Kano.”

  • NDLEA calls for community support in drug fight

    Mr Emeka Okapo, Acting Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Gombe State on Friday urged traditional and religious leaders to sensitise their communities on dangers of drug abuse.

    Okapo, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe, said called for proper enlightenment so that people at the grassroots would understand the difference between medicine sellers and doctors.

    “The bad side of it is that the communities call the drug sellers doctors and they resist when you want to remove them from among them.

    “The communities will always tell you to leave the drug sellers that they are their doctors. And the drug sellers may be selling Tramadol and all these hard drugs to them,” he said.

    Okapo said that the communities were acting in ignorance and needed all stakeholders to sensitise them to understand the implications of this attitude.

    He said that drug abuse led to increase in crime, adding that individuals in the communities should volunteer information that would help in reducing drug abuse menace in the state.

    Okapo said that youths addicted to drugs contributed to the high number of out-of-school drop outs as most of them depend on drugs to function daily.

    He said the command would deal with any person involved in hard drugs, adding that in 2019 the command removed about 845,034 kilograms of hard drugs from circulation in the state.

  • Recruitment: NDLEA appeals for calm among candidates

    National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has appealed for calm among candidates undergoing the aptitude test for its recruitment nationwide.

    A statement on Monday in Abuja by its Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs of Agency, Jonah Achema, said this followed the management’s assessment of compliance of prospective candidates towards the recruitment.

    It reads: “The agency is aware of little hitches in the ongoing Computer-Based Test (CBT) with particular reference to Abuja Centre, and is determined to ensure that the integrity of the recruitment process is maintained in the selection of suitable 1,000 narcotic officers in the first phase of the recruitment.

    “We are not unaware of the complaints by those excluded by computer from the ongoing exercise on grounds of age, improper documentation at the time of application and/or failing to upload relevant documents in support of their application.

    “These are the pre-qualification requirements for the recruitment exercise. Some may have been excluded on account of their own carelessness, having left the email address and telephone number used for the application dormant or replaced, and consequently could not be reached.

    “The management reinstated that this recruitment, which is the first phase of the recruitment for 15,000 personnel, is to recruit 5,000 personnel and is targeted majorly at the lower rank personnel (4,000 out of the 5,000) in order to address the current personnel gap in the agency.

    “The agency is happy with the successful completion of the aptitude test in all the centres, except Abuja, where impatience and unruly behaviour of some applicants has led to the rescheduling of the aptitude test for applicants who were unable to write the test.

    “The test for Abuja Centre has been rescheduled to hold from Friday, December 27, to Monday, December 31, 2019. The affected applicants are being contacted through emails and SMS.”