TheNewsGuru

Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA arrests 105 drug dealers in Bayelsa in 6 months

    The National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bayelsa Command, has arrested 105 persons while 27.35 kg of illicit drugs were seized in the area between January and June.

    Bayelsa NDLEA Commander, Mr Abdullahi Abdul, gave the figure at a news briefing to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Wednesday in Yenagoa.

    Abdul advised the public not to discriminate against drug users as directed by the criminal justice system in the country.

    According to him, the figure of arrested persons consists of 89 males and 16 females, while the impounded drugs include Cannabis Sativa, 32.125kg; Cocaine, 0.103kg; Heroin, 0.055 kg; Tramadol, 777 tablets.

    Others are Diazepam, 5,223 tablets; Swinol, 187 tablets; Lexotan/Exol -5, 2,855 tablets and mixture of cannabis and alcohol, 33.28 litres.

    The NDLEA commander said that drug users should be seen as those who have health challenges and, therefore, should have access to treatment and rehabilitation.

    Abdul noted that the command’s Counselling and Rehabilitation Unit had successfully counselled 30 clients comprising 27 males and three females.

    “There has recently been an upsurge of violent crimes and cultism in the state, and the use of drugs cannot be divorced from these acts of brigandage.

    “Therefore, we shall redouble our efforts to ensure that these occurrences are brought to the barest minimum through proactive policing.

    “We urge parents and guardians to monitor their children closely, not to involve themselves with drug abuse, which can destroy their future and destiny,” he said.

  • NDLEA in Kano State intercepts 6,726kg of hard drugs, arrests 725 suspects

    Dr Ibrahim Abdul, the Commander, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State says the command seized a total of 6,726,012 kilogrammes of hard drugs from June 2018 till date.

    The commander made the disclosure at a news conference on Tuesday in Kano as part of events to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, celebrated annually on June 26.

    The day was set aside by UN to bring to the fore, challenges encountered by countries and individuals through illicit drugs sale and consumption, as well as step up campaigns on its ills.

    Abdul said that within the period under review, the command intercepted 3,201,155 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, popularly known as Indian Hemp.

    He added that the command also seized 3,370,911 kilogrammes of psychotropic substance and 150.007 kilogrammes of khat, a marijuana-like leaf imported from South Africa.

    He further revealed that 3.190 kilogrammes of cocaine had also been intercepted by the command within the one year.

    The NDLEA boss also disclosed that the agency had within the period under review, seized 29.3 kilogrammes of heroin.

    Giving further breakdown of the success achieved, Abdul said the command arrested 725 suspects, out of whom, 620 males and 105 females.

    “This is an unprecedented success that has never been achieved within a short period of time since the establishment of this command,” he said

    The commander further disclosed that the command had secured the conviction of 47 suspects, nabbed with cocaine and heroin.

    He further revealed that the command arrested suspected notorious members of a drug syndicate enroute Saudi Arabia with 2.92 kilogrammes of cocaine.

    “The statistics recorded shows a decline in the demand and supply of some substances such as tramadol and codeine, as a result of constant operations by officers of the Kano State command,” said the commander

    He, however, added that the lack of adequate manpower, shortage of logistics, the lack of enough facilities to accommodate addicts that required counselling and rehabilitation were some of the command’s major challenges.

    ”Also, the lack of cooperation by some communities is affecting our work,” Abdul said.

  • NDLEA takes 3 truck-load of cannabis to court as exhibit

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Tuesday took two Hilux truck and a Toyota Hiace bus loaded with 201 sacks of cannabis sativa as exhibits to the Federal High Court Abuja.

    The 201 sacks of cannabis were brought before Justice Evelyn Maha by the NDLEA as exhibits in a count charge filed against one Michael Monday and Abdullahi Iliyasu.

    Monday,33, and Iliyasu, 25, both male with no skill or handiwork, are being prosecuted by the NDLEA for aiding in the transportation of cannabis sativa, an illicit drug weighing 2,058.7 kg.

    The culprit whom both defendants aided in transporting the 201 sacks of cannabis sativa, one Ugo, was still at large.

    Out of the 201 sacks of cannabis carefully concealed in a white sack and packed inside a black nylon, three sacks were tendered inside the court room and the rest, inside the vehicles.

    Justice Maha personally went outside together with the court registry, prosecutors and defence counsels for inspection and confirmation of the remaining number of sacks of cannabis in the vehicles.

    The judge admitted the 201 sacks, certificate of test analysis, packing of substance form, request for scientific aid form and other relevant exhibits tendered by the prosecution into evidence.

    The defence counsel, Sharon Saakwen made no objection to the entire exhibits tendered b y the prosecution.

    The prosecution witness, Mr Shehu Mohammed, the NDLEA Exhibit Officer told the court the two defendants were arrested by operatives of the NDLEA on Dec.2, 2018.

    Mohammed, being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Mr Mike Kassa, said both defendants were arrested while in transit in a Mercedes truck along Abaji expressway in transit with reg. No: XB 417 KNR.

    He told the court that the two defendants were brought to him with the Mercedes truck loaded with the cannabis sativa.

    He further said the results from the laboratory analysis he sent to Lagos showed that it was cannabis sativa, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine and heroin.

    The prosecutor prayed the court to convict the two defendants who had pleaded guilty on day of first arraignment, coupled with the prove of facts.

    Kassa said this was in line with section 247(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    Justice Maha adjourned until June 25 for judgment.

    The offenc, the NDLEA said, is contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

  • Kashamu’s extradition suit: Court awards N50,000 each to DSS, NDLEA

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday, awarded N50,000 each in favour of the Director-General, State Security Service (DSS) and the National Drug law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, in a suit instituted by Sen. Buruji Kashamu.

    Kashamu is seeking to stop his extradition to the United States, to face drug related charges.

    Kashamu, who is Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, had in his suit labelled FHC/L/CS/930/2018, joined the following as respondents:

    The Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Lagos Police Command, Director General, State Security Service (DSS), National Drug law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF)

    He is urging the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting or detaining him, in any manner whatsoever, or interfering with his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

    In a ruling, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, gave the order, following the absence of the Kashamu’s lawyer, Mrs Ifeoma Esom.

    Justice Aneke asked Mr O.Bajela who appeared and J.N. Sunday who appeared for the DSS and NDLEA if they had seen a letter from the plaintiff counsel, seeking adjournment over another case she had at the Court of Appeal.

    Responding, they expressed dissatisfaction over the frequent adjournment, on the grounds that the case had been adjourned severally at the instance of plaintiff.

    He added that it was the case of the plaintiff and they ought to exhibit diligence.

    Consequently, the third defence counsel urged the court to award a cost of N100,000 in its favour against the plaintiff.

    In the same vein, fourth defence counsel, also asked for a cost of N200,000 against the plaintiff.

    Justice Aneke awarded a cost of N50,000 each in favour of third and fourth defendants and adjourned the case until Oct. 31 for hearing..

    NAN reports that Aneke had taken arguments in the suit from respective parties and had reserved his judgment until April 29.

    On April 29, judgment could not be delivered in the suit as the period fell within the Easter vacation, and the court did not sit.

    The matter was consequently, adjourned until May 10.

    On May 10, the case was set down for hearing on June 6.

    In a supporting affidavit, the applicant averred that by a newspaper publication, the Attorney General of the Federation was reported to have said that the U.S. Government had been told to make fresh request for his extradition, after the former proceedings were dismissed.

    He averred that, in a proceeding instituted in England by the U.S. authorities between 2002 and 2003, it was established that he was not the one implicated in the alleged narcotics offence committed in the U.S. in 1994.

    He said that consequently, he was not the person sought after by the U.S. authorities.

    Kashamu, is therefore, urging the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting or detaining him in any manner whatsoever, or interfering with the applicants’ right to personal liberty and freedom of movement

    Meanwhile in a preliminary objection, deposed to by one Kareem Olayinka, the NDLEA averred that authorities of the United States are currently seeking to extradite the applicant to their country, to answer charges relating to Heroine trafficking.

    He said that the U.S. government then made a request to the Nigerian government, for the applicant to be extradited sometime in May 2015.

    The Agency said that since Kashamu got wind of the extradition request, he has filed multiplicity of law suits relating to the issue.

    He averred that in all these actions the basic relief sought, is a restraining order against the NDLEA, from arresting and extraditing him to the U.S.

    According to the NDLEA, this suit does not disclose any cause of action against the respondent, adding that the multiplicity of the action by the applicant against the NDLEA is intended to divert its energy and attention from discharging its mandate to the nation.

    He, avers therefore, that the NDLEA needs the protection of the court to stop this trend, as the applicant is only engaged in shopping for a forum that will grant his desired reliefs.

    The Agency is therefore, asking the court to dismiss the suit.

  • BREAKING: One dead, official injured as rampaging youths set NDLEA office on fire

    Rampaging youths on Thursday evening razed the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office in Kazaure local government of Jigawa state.

    The office located along Daura-Kazaure road opposite Dikko Roni filing station was completely burnt down by the youths during the mob action.

    The youths also injured an NDLEA official identified as Stanley Sylvester, an Assistant Narcotic office I.

    Findings indicated the youths were provoked after NDLEA operatives killed a suspected drug kingpin in the area.

    It was gathered the incident occurred when the operatives raided criminal hideouts in Kazaure town, headquarters of Kazaure local government area.

    An eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, identified the deceased as 25-year-old Abubakar Lawal, a resident of Sha-iskawa Kazaure.

    He said the deceased ran for safety and jumped into Kazaure river during the raid where he was allegedly shot dead by the NDLEA operatives.

    Eyewitness said the killing resulted to crisis, making the angry youths to chase away NDLEA officials.

    They also burnt two of their vehicles and injured one official.

    When contacted, the Public Relation Officer to the Jigawa state Nigerian Security and Civil Defense, DSP Adamu Shehu confirmed the incident.

    He said: “The NDLEA personal raided a resident on which allegedly as hideout of illegal drugs consumption and trading.”

    Shehu added: “The NDLEA arrested some and while some escaped, one of them drowned in to Kazaure river and died.”

  • I need help, I cannot die this way- Baba Suwe cries out over failing health

    I need help, I cannot die this way- Baba Suwe cries out over failing health

    Babatunde Omidina a.k.a Baba Suwe is known to millions of fans as one of Nigeria’s most loved and talented comic actors.The revered actor is currently battling chronic diabetes and needs urgent medical attention.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that the news of his ill health was first shared by his protégé, Yomi Fabiyi.

    Fabiyi recently posted videos of him speaking about his health challenges on an Ibadan based radio station.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BuCAJ_fnV1k/

     

    Baba Suwe cried out during the interview, stating that he needs the urgent help of Nigerians to survive.

    “I am yet to get my N25m compensation and yet to hear from anyone from the government. My Yoruba people are aware and they are supposed to come to my rescue, both the old and young knows Baba Suwe. I need everyone and the government to help me. I need everyone’s help, I am not lying, I need help, I cannot die this way”, he said on the radio show.

    Fabiyi in his Instagram post said all that is important right now is Baba Suwe’s health.

    In his words:”My only gain is for him to get help and survive this. May God forgive our misdeed. Let us leave the past where it belongs and that is in the past. Without going into details, his present condition is getting critical to the previous state when I first raised alarm. I am again putting my all before the world to please help him. Time is of the essence.
    People around him are really trying but trust me on this, the situation is bigger now. He needs urgent comprehensive medical treatment,” he wrote.

     

    Baba Suwe was arrested and detained by the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency in 2011 for alleged drug trafficking. He was detained for twenty-four days while NDLEA officers waited for him to excrete the suspected cocaine wraps he was accused of ingesting. However, Baba Suwe did not and was released on bail by the court. He later took the NDLEA to court, won and was awarded N25 million in compensation for the wrongful arrest. Till date, he is yet to get the money.

     

    “The way they (NDLEA) treated me actually rubbished my image. My career has been dwindling. A lot of people that are supposed to be inviting me to take part in their movies abandoned me because of the incident. Even a lot of people that could have assisted me financially don’t want to associate with me again.” Baba Suwe told Encomium in 2016.

     

     

  • NDLEA in C’River arrests 180 drug suspects in 2018

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Cross River Command arrested 180 persons for drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in 2018.

    The State NDLEA Commander, Mrs Anthonia Edeh, made this known in the command’s 2018 Annual Report released in Calabar on Monday.

    Edeh said that within the period under review, a total of 251.552 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) were seized from suspects.

    “Also 30.90 grammes of Cocaine; 14.80 grammes of Heroin and 22.5 kilogrammes of Psychotropic substances were seized, ” she said.

    The commander said that within the period under review, 51 drug offenders were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging from six months to 10 years by the Federal High Court, Calabar Division.

    According to her, 71 drug addicts comprising 64 males and seven females were counselled and reintegrated with their families.

    She attributed the successes recorded by the command in the year under review to the support and cooperation of the Cross River Government and members of the public.

    “We need more of such support from the government and well-meaning citizens of the state in tackling drug menace in our society,’’ Edeh said.

    The commander decried the rising cases of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state, especially among the youth.

    She, however, called on parents to always insist on knowing the movement of their wards.

    Edeh also appealed to members of the public to furnish the agency with information about those involved in the sale of hard drugs and psychotropic substances in their neighborhood.

     

  • Bayelsa Police arrest man for poisoning 3 ‘wizard’ sons with sniper

    Bayelsa Police arrest man for poisoning 3 ‘wizard’ sons with sniper

    Mr Aminu Saleh, Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa, says that a father of three, Mr Samuel Sunday, has been arrested for allegedly poisoning his three children with sniper.

    The police commissioner told newsmen at the crime scene in Bayelsa that two of the children died after drinking sniper while the third one survived.

    The surviving son told newsmen that their father and his brother gave them the sniper to drink.

    “Our father and his brother tied three of us and gave us sniper to drink.

    “I was told that my brothers are dead, and that I am the only one that survived,” the boy said in tears on his hospital bed.

    He said that suspect and his brother, Aya Preye, were being charged for the murder of the two children.

    He identified the deceased boys as Miracle (12) and God’s time (10).

    Sunday and his wife had divorced but the three children were living with their grandmother before the incident occurred.

    The police commissioner said that the suspect had alleged that his sons were wizards who were responsible for his sickness.

    Dr Moses Emeka of Hillem Medical Centre, who attended to the only survivor, said the boy was brought to the hospital unconscious by an NDLEA official.

    The doctor confirmed that the survivor was responding to treatment and would soon recover.

     

  • Drug abuse: NDLEA sets up Drug Control Committee

    As part of efforts to address cases of drug abuse in Gombe State, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has set up a committee on drug control.
    The agency’s state commandant, Mr Aliyu Adole said this at a pre-inaugural meeting of the State Drug Control Committee in Gombe on Thursday.
    According to him, the pre-inaugural meeting is to enable members of the committee to brainstorm on ways to tackle drug situation in the state.
    Adole said the committee had become necessary in order to engage more persons and organisations as key stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse.
    According to him, Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe will chair the committee.
    The NDLEA boss said that the high level of drug abuse in the state was alarming.
    He said that the agency seized 256.52kgs of drugs between January and October.
    “We are setting up a Drug Control Committee as directed by the headquarters, to address the alarming cases of drug abuse in Gombe.
    “The committee will be chaired by Gov. Dankwambo.
    “This committee will engage more stakeholders by involving persons from different organisations and the media to make the fight a collective one in view of the dangers of drug abuse on our youths.
    “ So far, in the year 2018, over 52 males had been arrested, out of which 30 convictions had been secured and 22 are awaiting trials’’, Adole said.
    Mr Hussaini Dan-Gombe, the Deputy Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Gombe State Ministry of Information, pledged the support of the ministry toward sensitising the public on the effects of drug abuse on the youth.
    Dan-Gombe emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to tackle the menace in the state.
    Also speaking, Mr Abdussalam Mohammed, the Acting Director, Public Prosecution, Gombe State Ministry of Justice, stressed the need for the enactment of specific laws to address issues of drug abuse in the states.
    NAN

  • NDLEA decries high-level abuse of tramadol, cough syrup

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has decried what it termed the high-level of abuse of tramadol and cough syrup among Nigerian youth and women.
    NDLEA Chairman, retired Col. Muhammad Abdallah, said this while delivering Nigeria’s statement on ‘Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice and World Drug Problem’ at the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters, New York.
    Abdallah said: “Nigeria is witnessing a high level of abuse of tramadol and cough syrups containing codeine, especially by vulnerable youths and women.
    “This is a phenomenon common to many countries in the West-African sub-region which has ushered in a new level of transnational organised crimes.
    “As a result, a lot of national and sub-regional initiatives, including capacity development, have been put in place to address the situation”.
    Abdallah reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under relevant international instruments in the area of crime prevention, strengthening criminal justice and addressing world drug problem.
    Given the linkage between drug abuse and crime perpetration, he said, Nigeria had stepped up the implementation of measures to combat the incidence of drug proliferation, trafficking and abuse.
    ”This is based on our conviction that strong national commitment and effective international collaboration and partnership are very critical to eliminating the menace of illicit drug flows, ”he stressed.
    According to him, the is implementing a robust National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2015-2019) to address illicit drug supply and demand.
    The NDLEA boss added that the agency was also countering money laundering and access to controlled narcotic drugs for medical and scientific purposes.
    He said the ‘UNPLUGGED’ evidence-based school preventive programme that targeted ages 10 to14 years instituted in 2016 had witnessed the enrolment of 65 schools in its pilot project.
    Unplugged is an evidence-based programme designed to equip young people with specific skills and resources that they need to resist social influences and to support knowledge about drugs and their adverse health consequences.
    Abdallah noted the availability, access and control of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals for medical and scientific purposes.
    He said the Nigerian Government had produced guidelines, in tandem with international standards, on realistic estimation and quantification needs assessment for required Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors for medical and scientific purposes.
    The NDLEA boss also said Nigeria recognised the intricate link between sound and efficient criminal justice system, rule of law, eradication of corruption and development.
    Abdallah said President Muhammadu Buhari, in his determination to stamp out corruption, has strengthened judicial institutions and made proper application of the rule of law the plank of his overall strategies for eradicating corruption and promoting national development.
    He noted that the Nigerian Government had continued to make giant strides in the pursuit of comprehensive and holistic programmes geared toward crime prevention through efficient criminal justice system.
    The NDLEA boss pledged that the agency would continue to adhere to principles such as equality before the law, accountability to the law and fairness in the application of the law.
    “We reported to this gathering last year that Nigeria has brought its national legislation into compliance with the provision of Article 44 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) with the aim of not only enhancing our fight against corruption but also to combat other transnational organised crimes.
    “Consequently and based on the strong signals from Nigeria on ending corruption in all its ramifications, the African Union has shown its resolve to combat corruption by declaring 2018 as the African Anti-Corruption Year and making President Muhammadu Buhari the Champion of the African Union Anti-Corruption.”
    To counter money laundering and illicit proceeds of crime, Abdallah said Nigeria established Inter-ministerial Committee on Anti Money Laundering and Combating Financial Terrorism, he said.
    Abdallah said the committee involved law enforcement and regulatory agencies, to facilitate and strengthen efficient cooperation, collaboration and coordination of control over illicit financial transaction by trans-national organised syndicates.
    This collaboration has resulted in on-going forfeiture of several assets from ill gotten origin to the government, he said.
    He also recalled that Nigeria signed into law the Financial Intelligence Unit Act in July, thus providing a more robust legal framework that granted greater autonomy, independence and confidentiality to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit in its fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.
    “It is gratifying to report that in recognition of this act, Nigeria was reinstated to the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units on Sept.26, 2018,” the NDLEA boss said.