The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mr. Hamza Umar

  • NDLEA arrests Malian, four Nigerians with 4,580kgs of drugs

    NDLEA arrests Malian, four Nigerians with 4,580kgs of drugs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Malian and four Nigerians for allegedly dealing in the sale of 4,580kgs  of psychotropic drugs in Kano.

    The seized drugs comprising 2,592kgs of codeine cough syrups and 1,988kgs of tramadol were recovered from five secret warehouses located within the metropolis by officers of the Kano State command. This arrest is part of efforts to reduce the sale of and demand for psychotropic substances in the State.

    The State commander of the NDLEA, Mr Hamza Umar gave the names of the suspects as Ikechukwu Ukwuoma, 34 years old arrested with 2,010kgs of codeine cough syrups; Nura Ibrahim, 30 years old caught with 886kgs of tramadol and Zakari Muhammadi, a Malian found with 850kgs of tramadol.

    Others are Earnest Asogwa, 34 years caught with 582kgs of codeine syrup and Ikenna Osuizugba, 34 years old found in possession of 252kgs of tramadol. The arrests and seizures were made following intelligence report on the illicit drug activities of the suspects.

    “The abuse of psychotropic drugs like codeine cough syrups and tramadol is prevalent among young people and married women in the State. It is common to see iced bottles of codeine cough syrup instead of beverage drinks in a gathering of young people” Hamza stated.

    Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) said that the Agency is working hard to intensify its sensitization programmes in the State.

    “The NDLEA is working assiduously to boost the sensitization efforts of the State command. We are getting more families, schools, community groups and the media involved in this enlightenment programme. This is one important way of reducing the demand and supply for both codeine cough syrup and tramadol tablet taken by youths. The Agency will continue to do its best in protecting the health and future of our youths” Abdallah stated.

  • Drug peddling: Kano NDLEA arrests 200 girls, 50 Almajiris

    Drug peddling: Kano NDLEA arrests 200 girls, 50 Almajiris

    The Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano, Mr. Hamza Umar Monday in Kano raised alarm over the spate at which young women in the state are involved in drug abuse, just as he said the Command has arrested 200 girls to that effect.

    According to Hamza who also revealed that over 50 Almajiris are currently in his custody for aiding and abating drug peddling in the state, said his office has handed over the girls to the state Ministry of Women Affairs for counseling.

    The Commander who spoke to reporters in his office further disclosed that, “most of these young women are nursing mothers who abandon their children at home only to lodge in hotels where they do drugs and engage in other immoral activities.

    “I have a recent case whereby a young woman locked up her two little children inside the house, flee her home and joined her friends in a red-light hotel where they engage in all kinds of illicit activities, including drug abuse.”

    According to him, drug trafficking in the state has taken another worrisome dimension as drug dealers have started using Almajiris as drug carriers and distributors.

    He noted that, “just recently, we arrested over 50 Almajiris who confessed to have engaged in the business of drug peddling for a price to the tune of N300 per day.”

    According to him, “it was also worrisome that the teenagers do not only serve as distributors, but are also initiated into the act of drug abuse by their pay masters.

    “It is a known fact today that there is a phenomenal increase in the number of youths engaging in drug use and peddling. Young adolescents begin to use drug as early as when they are 10 to 20 years of age in Kano.”

    The NDLEA boss, however, identified illicit drugs commonly abused in Kano to include Scorpion gas, angel breeze, Monkey tail, chasing the Dragon, flying stone, man-die-go, fire-for-fire, cough syrups, psychotropic substances, solvent and solution, gigabytes, suck-and-die, lizard dung, as well as using pipes to suck and sniff human remains from the grave.

  • Drug syndicate abandons heroin at Lagos airport

    …NDLEA arrests auto parts dealer

    A suspected drug syndicate has abandoned 9.270kg of heroin originating from Pakistan at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency discovered the drug inside an abandoned luggage on the conveyor belt during inward screening of passengers on an Emirate flight.

    Meanwhile, a 38 -year old auto parts dealer, Ohagwu Earnest Ifeanyi who attempted boarding a Qatar airline flight to China with 735 grammes of heroin hidden in his stomach has been arrested.

    The heroin weighing 10.005kg is valued at over 80 million naira.

    According to the NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, the seizure is a good way to start the year.

    “This is a good start for us considering the value of the drug,”

    The heroin seizures comprising 9.270kg imported from Pakistan and 735 grammes ingested by one Ohagwu Earnest Ifeanyi weighed 10.005kg. The suspect was arrested following a positive test for drug ingestion,” Hamza stated.

    Ifeanyi, who hails from Enugu State, said he smuggled drugs to recover from the loss of two million naira.

    He said, “I sell auto parts at Onitsha where I live with my wife and two children. My involvement in drugs was to enable me recover from the two million naira loss I incurred in my business.”

     

  • Drug trafficking: Three cargo agents arrested at Lagos airport

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday arrested three cargo agents at the car park of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, over a consignment containing 1.630 kilograms of cannabis meant for export to China.

    NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Mr. Hamza Umar gave the names of the suspect as Peter Madunatum (38), Stanley Chimezie( 23) and Nlemoha Collins Chijioke (34).

    According to Hamza, “Peter Madunatum and Stanley Chimezie were arrested when they gave a package containing 600 grammes to a passenger at the car pack.

    “The passenger insisted on a complete search before accepting the package. In the process, he discovered a parcel of cannabis and the agents took to their heels. They were however apprehended with the assistance of some police men at the car pack.”

    Hamza, who thanked the police officers for their prompt response, added that the third suspect Nlemoha Collins Chijioke was caught with 1.030kg of cannabis hidden inside a bag containing garri.

    In his statement, Nlemoha told investigators that he accepted the consignment because he had confidence on his colleague.

    . “I am a clearing agent at the Lagos airport. I collected a package from my colleague because I know him as a fellow clearing agent. It was during search that the drug was detected and I was arrested,” Nlemoha stated.

    The suspect lives in Lagos and is married with a child.