In this interview, Mitchell Ofoyeju, head of public affairs at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, speaks passionately about the incorruptibility and achievements of the current leadership of the agency. He spoke with ADEKUNLE YUSUF
If you take a critical look at the situation of things generally in the country, will you say Nigeria is winning or losing the war on illegal drugs and why?
Obviously, Nigeria is winning the war on illicit drugs. Under the leadership of the Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, drug control efforts have been on the rise over the years. The Agency has maintained a burning momentum with glaring proofs. What is unique about the current leadership of the Agency is that it has zero tolerance for corruption. It also gives priority to strict law enforcement. This is an imperative quality for triumph against drug cartels anywhere in the world. As a result, we have witnessed unprecedented arrests of high profile suspects and seizures of drugs valued at several billions of naira. Many drug trafficking syndicates have been dismantled. Many drug barons had been convicted and this has increased Nigeria’s rating in international circles. You will recall that the United States Government delisted Nigeria from the Drug Majors list on account of the aggressive campaign against drug barons. The Agency has made significant progress by operating in line with best global practices. We now enjoy robust international cooperation. The National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) has just been launched. This was achieved with the assistance of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), European Union (EU) and Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) involving ministries, agencies and non-governmental organisations. This policy document is a roadmap of drug control strategies for the country and I am pleased because its production and implementation is based on the principle of collective responsibility.
Your regularly reels out impressive statistics on arrests, seizures and convictions of drug criminals, don’t you think the focus of the war on drugs should be on the barons instead of couriers and users of drugs alone?
Many drug barons have been arrested and convicted. There is the case of a Lagos socialite, Akindele Ikumoluyi (aka Ele-Eru) who once controlled the drug trade in Lagos. He was arrested, prosecuted and convicted. In addition, a Chinese and Taiwanese, Chiusen Fong and Richard Wang that imported 450.400kg of cocaine worth over 4billion naira into the country were arrested and convicted. Recently, the Agency apprehended a suspected drug baron who hides under the guise of motor-cycle importation. He was placed under intense surveillance for 13 months prior to his arrest. It was gathered that the suspect, Mr. Chukwunwendu Sylvester Ikejiakwu (aka Blessed) has three clandestine laboratories where methamphetamine is produced. These factories had been shut down. Investigation revealed that he pays drug couriers $5,000 dollars per trip and specializes in sponsoring traffickers to China, Malaysia, Turkey and Italy. Between 2011 and 2015, ten illegal factories used for methamphetamine production had been uncovered and the owners prosecuted. The success story of the agency is both laudable and enviable. It will interest you to note that those arrested cuts across noble professions. Apart from business people, politicians, medical doctors and a doctorate degree holder have been apprehended. In fact, the list is endless.
How true is the allegation that many of your operatives are bad eggs who aid couriers and compromise on drug war?
I can tell you confidently that no unprofessional conduct goes unpunished in the Agency. This was achieved through strict compliance with the rules of engagement irrespective of your position. Let me tell you, corruption is like a plant that cannot grow on certain soil. The coca plant from where cocaine is produced cannot grow in Nigeria because of our climate. In the same vein, the leadership of NDLEA has made it difficult for corruption to germinate on her soil. Take for example, aiding a drug trafficker is punishable by dismissal and everyone caught had been dismissed irrespective of the position from a commanding officer to a cleaner. The Chairman/ Chief Executive has made his position clear on corruption. According to Giade, you either work for the Nigerian government where your salary is paid or you resign your appointment and get paid by drug barons. So the choice is for the officer to make. There are also internal mechanisms for rewarding good conduct. These include special promotions, monetary rewards and special courses to mention a few. Many officers have been rewarded and it is an on-going process aimed at motivating and sustaining the culture of hard work and integrity.
What is the standard treatment for erring officers? Specifically, what happened to investigations of allegations of corrupt deals involving your officers in recent time, especially in commands such as Kaduna, Ondo, etc.?
All cases are referred to either the junior or senior disciplinary committees for hearing in line with the NDLEA rules. Where an officer is punished and he or she disagrees with the decision of the committee, they have the right of appeal. Such appeals go to the appropriate bodies for review. What I can confirm to you is that all those found guilty had been punished in accordance with the rules of engagement.
There are allegations even from serving agency operatives that the national chairman hobnobs with drug barons? What is your take on this?
That is not correct and I mean it with every sense of seriousness. I can tell you confidently that any accusation of corruption against the chairman is dead on arrival. His greatest asset is integrity. He made his position known to the Commanders from the onset that he does not need a dime from them. What he needs from them is arrest of barons and drug seizures. He also charged them to do same to their subordinates. So far, he has kept his words. If you know any drug baron, please go and do your covert investigation and report back.
Some state commanders alleged that they are under compulsion to make returns to the national chairman of the agency if they are not to suffer redeployment. Is this true?
These allegations are completely unfounded. Do you know that under the current chairman, 14,200kg that is 14.2 tons of cocaine was seized at the Tin Can Port in Lagos. It was the single largest seizure of cocaine and fifth largest in the world. There was 450.400kg of cocaine hidden in processed wood, which was intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, in July 2010. The consignment was imported from Chile by a Taiwanese and a Chinese. Again, 137.73kg of heroin was intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, in November 2010. The heroin hidden in industrial equipment and sewing threads was imported from the Republic of Iran. After that, there was 165kg of cocaine packed in 150 square parcels inside 38 cartons of floor tiles. The drug originated from Bolivia and was intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos in January 2011. Also, 110kg of cocaine was detected inside twenty-five (25) packs of floor tiles containing 4 parcels each in January, 2011 at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos. The drug was packed in a 20 feet container of floor tiles and cement from Bolivia. Similarly, 113.49kg of heroin industrially concealed in three moulding machines imported from Islamabad, Pakistan in a 20 feet container was intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port in May 2012. The shipment was monitored and intercepted by NDLEA officials at Okota, Lagos, while being taken to a private warehouse. If you know the estimated street value of the seized drugs you will understand that the allegations are baseless. I think the real complaint, if any, is that the Chairman does not support corruption. I can tell you that anybody that loves Nigeria will love to work with Ahmadu Giade. Have you asked yourself why the international community loves to work with him? The answer is that he is transparent and hardworking.
The NDLEA chairman is also accused of practicing favouritism, nepotism, religious bigotry, and all sorts of things when it comes to promotions and posting of officers to juicy commands? Can you shed light on this?
Honestly, I do not know the source of these funny claims but again that is not correct. The Chairman is a Muslim from Bauchi and I am a Christian from Delta State, yet I am his media assistant. His chief security officer is a Christian from the South. Out of the seven directors, six are Christians. I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that Ahmadu Giade is completely detribalised and his postings and appointments are strictly based on merit. If you are hard-working, you are his friend and he will work with you, but those who are lazy and corrupt are his enemies. He once told me that it is impossible for a disciplined worker to serve faithfully for 35 years without having a two-bedroom apartment. So he is an advocate of rectitude.
