The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Buba Wakawa

  • NDLEA arrests 45 suspects in Edo, destroys 13, 542kg drugs

    The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) says it apprehended 45 suspects in connection with illicit drug trafficking in the first quarter of 2018.

    The state Commander of the agency, Mr Buba Wakawa, disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen in Benin on Wednesday.

    Wakawa also said that the NDLEA seized 13, 542kg substances suspected to be illicit drugs within the period.

    He told the newsmen that the arrested persons included 36 males and nine females.

    The commandant also said that the agency convicted seven drug traffickers at the Federal High Court, Benin within the period.

    Wakawa told the newsmen that the impounded drugs included 13,518kg of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, 0.019g of drug suspected to be cocaine and 0.01 drug suspected to be heroin.

    Read Also: Edo partners EU on water projects in 46 communities – Commissioner

    He said that the agency also destroyed suspected psychotropic substance weighing about 24.2kg, adding that it discovered 12 suspected cannabis farms measuring 7.4 hectares.

    According to him, two of the cannabis farms were discovered at Okumo Oil Extension II in Uhumonwode LGA, while the others were discovered at Emun Forest in Orhiomwon LGA.

    Wakawa told the newsmen that the command also impounded four vehicles and a motorcycle used in conveying illicit drugs.

    He decried the low sentences passed on convicted drug peddlers, noting that none of the seven convicts got up to a year imprisonment.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests graduate with 762kg of cannabis in Edo

    The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) says it has arrested a graduate of Geophysics with about 82 bags of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa weighing 762 Kilogrammes.

    The Commander, Mr Buba Wakawa, disclosed this on Monday in an interview with our correspondent in Benin.

    Wakawa said that the seizure was the second of drugs hidden inside ceiling within one week.

    He said the suspected substance was discovered inside the ceiling of the suspect’s house at Ohiomah Street, Iyeu Otuo in Owan East Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the suspect in his statement said that he bought the drugs for sale in order to get enough money to sponsor his master’s degree programme.

    The commander said the suspect who gave his name as Iredia Austine, was arrested at his residence in Otuo based on intelligence report.

    He explained that during a search operation, officers discovered 82 bags of suspected cannabis sativa concealed inside the ceiling of his house with a total weight of 762kg.

    “This is a criminal act that is punishable by the NDLEA Act.

    “It is unjustifiable to engage in the criminal act under any pretext,” the commander said.

    During interrogation, the suspect claimed ownership of the drugs, stating that this is the largest quantity of drugs he had purchased in a single transaction.

    “I studied Geophysics at Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, and completed my National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) in January 2018.

    “I started selling cannabis in 2011 when I gained admission into the University and this was because I have no one to help me financially.

    “After my graduation, I stopped selling cannabis but the temptation arose when I purchased form for my master’s degree programme at the University of Port Harcourt.

    “It was circumstances that made me to be selling it and this is the largest quantity of cannabis I have bought at a time,” he said.

    The commander said that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect bought the drugs during harvest season and stored it in the ceiling for sale during peak season.

    He said that investigation would soon be concluded for the suspect to be arraigned in court.

    In a related development, Wakawa told our correspondent that the command had discovered another two clandestine warehouses in the State.

    He said that about 5,650 kilo grammes of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa were found in the warehouses.

    ” The first warehouse contained 4,200 kilo grammes of cannabis while the second warehouse contained 1,45kilo grammes of suspected cannabis,“he said.

    He also said that an arrest of a 64-year-old grandfather was made in connection with one of the warehouses.

    “This major seizure is coming barely few weeks after the command publicly destroyed 136,844 kilo grammes of various narcotic drugs mainly cannabis,“he said.

    Wakawa also disclosed that the seizures were made based on intelligence report received by the command.

    “The first warehouse is a residential house located behind Tipper Garage, Ehor inEgor Local Government Area, while the second warehouse was located at Ugwella-Gidi village, Ovia South West Local Government Area.

    The commander, promised to arrest other members connected with the warehouses.

    He appealed to members of the public to provide the agency with useful information that could lead to the recovery of drugs and arrest of traffickers.

    He said that the suspect would soon be charged to court.

    NAN

  • NDLEA destroys drugs worth N10b in Edo

    NDLEA destroys drugs worth N10b in Edo

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) Edo Command on Friday destroyed illicit drugs valued at more than N10 billion in Benin.

    Retired Col. Mohammad Abdallah, the Chairman of NDLEA who supervised the exercise, said that the quantum of drugs being destroyed clearly called for state of emergency over drug situation in the country.

    Abdallah said approximately 137,000 kiligrammes of illicit drugs were destroyed, noting that
    the figure was double the total figure recently destroyed in FCT, Oyo and Kano states.

    The chairman said 20 tonnes of drugs were destroyed in FCT, 14 tonnes in Oyo and 50 tonnes
    in Kano, while a whopping 136 tonnes destroyed in Edo.

    He added that the quantity showed that drugs had become unacceptably pervasive in many parts of the country, with attendant implications on health, security and integrity of the nation.

    He stressed that the connection between drugs and violent crimes was beyond any controversy, adding that this was because cannabis, tramadol and other psychoactive substances were often recovered in virtually all terrorist camps by the military.

    Abdallah expressed concern over the increase in space of forest being used for the cultivation of cannabis sativa in the state.

    Read Also: NDLEA to tackle use of prohibited substances by youths in FCT

    He explained that in 2017, the state command destroyed 40.06 hectares of suspected cannabis plantations, while 37.9 hectares was destroyed in 2016.

    He noted that the diversion of land to cannabis cultivation instead of food and economic crops remained a serious threat to food production in the country.

    The state Commander of NDLEA, Mr Buba Wakawa, said it was sad that Edo was one of the highest cannabis producing states in the country.

    Wakawa said that the problems of drugs and substance abuse in the state were of serious concern to the command.

    He added that school age children were found to be using drugs even at an early age of 13, saying
    this had affected the rate of school dropout, divorce, rape, as well as teenage pregnancy.

    The commander said the event marked the last stage of drug enforcement circle which started with intelligence gathering, raid operations, investigation, successful conviction and finally execution of the court order for the destruction of confiscated drugs.

    The quantity of drugs destroyed was the largest in the history of drug control in the country, he stressed.

    Wakawa said cannabis sativa accounted for 136, 437.73 kilogrammes of the figure, while cocaine, heroin and other psychotropic substances accounted for 0.0139 kilo grammes, 0.0084 kilogrammes and 406.7 kilogrammes.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 240 suspected drug traffickers

    NDLEA arrests 240 suspected drug traffickers

    The Edo Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) says it arrested no fewer than 240 suspects for drug related activities in the state in 2017.

    Mr. Buba Wakawa, the State Commander of NDLEA, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Benin.

    He said that more than 45,000 kg of suspected Indian hemp were seized during the period, while 10 vehicles and three motorcycles were also impounded in connection with drug trafficking.

    The official said that 34 drug farmlands totaling more than 50 hectares and valued at N2.9 billion were destroyed between January till date.

    Wakawa said that the command arrested 29 suspects for various illicit drug activities with about 11,000 kg of suspected Indian hemp.

    Read also: NDLEA seeks Edo support to destroy illicit drugs

    The commander said that such a large quantity of drugs was of  great concern to the drug control managers.

    “For us as drug control managers in the state, this is a cause for concern.
    “You can imagine the amount of money we have taken away from drug traffickers.

    “And this is the one we were able to take out of illegal circulation.
    “The implication is that it is a huge problem that needs the urgent and active participation of all stakeholders.”

    Wakawa decried the lack of operational facilities including vehicles and bed spaces for the rehabilitation of persons with drug abuse disorders.

    NAN

  • NDLEA intercepts 200kg of suspected Cannabis in Edo

    NDLEA intercepts 200kg of suspected Cannabis in Edo

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) in Edo says it has intercepted a shipment of dried weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa at Ehor in the state.

    Mr Buba Wakawa, State Commander of the agency in the state, disclosed this in Benin on Thursday.

    According to Wakawa, the suspected substance was packed in 20 bags weighing about 200 kilogrammes and concealed in a false compartment.

    He said the stuff was lined on the inner wall of a dark blue Volkswagen Bus with Anambra registration number: ACA 711 XT.

    He said the driver of the bus had been arrested in connection with the suspected substance.

    The commander also said that preliminary investigation revealed that the illicit drugs were being conveyed from Iruekpen in Edo to Uko-Orji in Imo.

    He said that the driver of the bus was presently assisting the command in its investigation.

    He also said that the suspect was married with four children and hailed from Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta.

    Wakawa said the suspect in his statement, disclosed that he had been driving for fifteen years but recently began to smuggle cannabis because of lack of a stable job.

    “I have been driving for the past fifteen years. However, in the past two years, I have been out of a stable employment.

    “It was in the process of looking for food for my family that l accepted to smuggle cannabis.

    “Shortly after l took off, my bus was stopped at Ehor by NDLEA officers on patrol; the drug was well hidden but l was surprised when the officers detected it in a false compartment,” the suspect said.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests mother with 40kg of cannabis

    NDLEA arrests mother with 40kg of cannabis

    The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) has apprehended a 50-year-old mother of seven, who allegedly hid 40kg of cannabis in a consignment of vegetables.

    The state Commander of the agency, Mr Buba Wakawa, confirmed the arrest in Benin on Tuesday.

    Wakawa said that the suspect, who lives in Ibadan, was arrested on the Uzebba-Ifon Road on her way to Oyo State with the substance.

    He said that the agency recovered four bags of dried weeds which tested positive to cannabis from her consignment of vegetables which included bitter leaves and pumpkin leaves.

    According to him, the command has commenced a strategic motorised patrol across the state to intercept cannabis shipment.

    “Drug barons usually target end of year.

    “This arrest is a product of motorised patrol embarked upon by the state command as a counter strategy to intercept illegal movement of narcotics.

    “The target is to promptly cut off supply and prevent drugs from getting to the end users,” Wakawa said.

    According to the commander, the suspect claimed that she was a divorce and needed money to register some of her children for West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.

    The commander told our correspondent that the suspect would soon be charged to court while her accomplice would be arrested.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 86 people for alleged drug trafficking in Edo

    NDLEA arrests 86 people for alleged drug trafficking in Edo

    The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) has arrested 86 people, suspected to be trafficking illicit drugs.

    The Commander of the agency in Edo, Mr Buba Wakawa, said in Benin on Monday that the suspects were arrested between July and September this year.

    According to him, the suspects are made up of 61 males, including a Malian and 25 females.

    Wakawa said that 2, 930 kg of hard drugs were seized within the period and that 46.8 hectares of suspected cannabis farms were also destroyed.

    The commander said the cannabis farms were estimated to be producing 217,414 kg of cannabis.

    According to him, a breakdown of the seized drugs are: cannabis (2,929.6 kg), Tramadol (159 grammes), Swino (four grammes), Vegha (26 grammes), Codeine (29 grammes) and Heroin (20 grammes).

    He said that the agency had successfully prosecuted one Obiora Nkemokonam, who was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for possessing 20 kg of cannabis.

    Wakawa said that two vehicles and two motorcycles had been impounded from suspects in connection with the seizures.

    He said that 37 drug-dependent people had also been counselled and reunited with their families, while three other peole who were currently undergoing rehabilitation.

    Wakawa lamented that the drug menace was not showing signs of abatement, calling on stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in the fight against illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse.

    “Drug seizures in the state are on the increase, while cannabis farms are overwhelming.

    “Cases of drug abuse are also posing greater challenge daily as more victims are getting trapped in the web of drug abuse.

    “This calls for greater commitment on our part to resist the activities of drug cartels.’’

    He appealed for increased funding and logistics support to the command to enable it to surmount its problems.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 67 persons for drug trafficking in Edo

    NDLEA arrests 67 persons for drug trafficking in Edo

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) in Edo says it has arrested 67 persons for allegedly trafficking in various drugs in the state.

    The Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Buba Wakawa, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Benin.

    Wakawa said the suspects that comprised 47 males and 20 females were arrested in various parts of the state between July and August.

    He also disclosed that suspected illicit drugs totaling about 779.572 kilogrammes were seized within the period.

    He said about 45.5 hectares of land estimated to yield about 216, 835 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis sativa were also destroyed.

    Giving a breakdown of the figure, the commander said that about 114.75 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis sativa were seized and about 667.62 kilogrammes of the same substance abandoned by the owners were confiscated.

    The commander said two grammes of Heroin; 26.1 grammes of suspected cocaine and 170 grammes of Psychotropic drugs were seized within the period.

    He further said that one vehicle was seized during the period.

    Wakawa described cannabis cultivation as a major threat to food security, peace and development in the state, and appealed for the urgent intervention of leaders at all levels.

    He said a cannabis survey was being conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ( UNODC ) under the European Union ( EU ) funded project in collaboration with the Nigerian Government and technical support from the Nigerian Air Force.

    He explained that the exercise which was to access the scope of the problem in high-risk States had shown that what had been destroyed was “a tip of the ice berg”.

    According to the commander, vast expanse of fertile arable land in the state had been completely taken over by cannabis cultivators.

    He, therefore, called on the State Government to declare a State of Emergency to effectively tackle the situation due to its security implications.

    “The situation calls for a State of Emergency.

    “Our operations are impeded by huge logistic constraints.

    “Manual destruction of the farms is a far cry considering the magnitude of cannabis cultivation in Edo, besides the security implications, food shortage, unemployment, deforestation, environmental degradation and high rate of criminality all militate against good governance.

    “The Agency cannot win this fight in isolation and l call on the state government to intervene in addressing the situation before it further degenerates,” he said.

  • NDLEA secures two convictions, arrests 15 suspects for drugs related offences in Edo

    NDLEA secures two convictions, arrests 15 suspects for drugs related offences in Edo

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo Command, said it had secured two convictions of illicit drug traffickers and arrested 15 suspects in April.

    The State Commandant of the Agency, Mr Buba Wakawa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Benin that the suspects included 14 males and a female.

    Wakawa also said that the command had seized a total of 1, 027 kilogrammes of
    substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

    “The substances comprise 1, 018.1 kilogrammes of suspected Cannabis Sativa; 0.520 kilogrammes of suspected Tramadol and 0.070 kilogrammes of suspected Diazepam.

    “One farm land estimated to yield about 1,647.4 kilogrammes of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa was destroyed within the period under review.

    “One vehicle was seized in connection with the crime while 12 suspects were counseled,’’ he said.

    The commandant appealed to the state government to assist the command with logistics such as operational vehicles and a warehouse to store exhibits.

    He reiterated the commitment of the command to rid the state of illicit drugs and traffickers.