The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

  • Lagos lawmaker lauds FG over release of Zainab Aliyu

    A Lagos Lawmaker, Mr Segun Olulade, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for securing the release of Ms Zainab Aliyu, who was arrested by Saudi Arabian authorities for alleged possession of codeine.

    Olulade, a member representing Epe Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, also congratulated Zainab’s parents and applauded the Federal Government for the role it played in her release.

    The two-term lawmaker wondered why some individuals would have the guts and confidence to plant drugs in luggage belonging to other people.

    “If not for the swift intervention of the Federal Government and other well-meaning individuals, only God knows what the fate of Zainab and Ibrahim Abubakar would have been.

    “This calls for serious concern, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has a lot to do to ensuring that those responsible for this dastardly act are seriously dealt with.

    “Every other concerned security agency must rise up to the occasion and ensure that security at our airports is tightened.

    “I see no reason why drugs should scale through our security here at our airports and get to another country.

    Read Also: Students protest in Kano over Zainab Aliyu

    “If the security agencies responsible for securing the airports are doing their jobs diligently, then people should not jet out of the country, only for them to get to their destinations and be caught,” the lawmaker said in a statement.

    Olulade, a former Chairman, House Committee on Health Services as well as Information and Strategy, also commended the Senior Special Assistant to the president on Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for taking up the matter and ensuring the release of the two Nigerians.

    NAN recalls that Zainab Aliyu, a final year student of Yusuf Maitama-Sule University, Kano, was arrested in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 25, 2018, for alleged drug trafficking.

    She travelled to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj with her mother and elder sister.

    NAN

     

  • NDLEA arrests 81 for illicit drug peddling in Oyo

    The Oyo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)  says it has  arrested 81 suspected drug traffickers and ensured the conviction of 20 in the state between January  and March 2019.

    The Commander of the agency in the state, Mr Ralph Igwenagu, said this on Wednesday in a statement  made available to newsmen by the Public Relations Officer, Mrs Mutiat Okuwobi.

    Igwenagu noted that the convicts were sentenced to different jail terms ranging from six months to five years.

    He also said that 600.561kg of cannabis sativa were seized from the suspects during the period under review.

    Igwenagu further  said that the command  limited the circulation of substances of abuse including Dazepam, Exol 5 and Tramadol among others in the first quarter of the year.

    Read Also: NDLEA nabs 35 suspected drug peddlers

    According to him, the anti-drug agency also gave drug intervention to 42 persons in the year under review, among whom 10 are still undergoing rehabilitation.

    The state command also uncovered a secret laboratory where the production of “skushi”, a derivative of potpourri of illicit and controlled drugs, was done illegally.

    “This led to the seizure of 290 litres of the illicit cocktail drink and its paraphernalia.

    “The command will not relent in frustrating the activities of drug peddlers in the state and the nation at large,” he added.

    He appealed to the public to always report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities  in order to rid the state of illicit drug trafficking and its attendant crises.

    NAN

  • Ghanaian charged with drug trafficking

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday re-arraigned a Ghanaian, Paul Gyan, at the Federal High Court, Lagos on a three-count charge of drug trafficking.

    He was arrested at the Departure Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, during the outward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines passengers to Indonesia.

    The NDLEA said Gyan, 36, concealed 2.02kg of methamphetamine in 10 tomato tins packed in a ‘Ghana-must-go’ sack.

    Read also: ‘Avoid pain killer drugs to prevent kidney damage’

    He was first arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi last year, but the judge was transferred to another division.

    Gyan pleaded not guilty, but he was denied bail because NDLEA said he posed a flight risk.

    The defendant was re-arraigned before Justice Maureen Onyetenu.

    NDLEA counsel Mrs. Juliana Imaobong said the defendant committed the offence on February 25 last year.

    Justice Onyetenu adjourned till May 13.

     

  • NDLEA arrests 36 in Kwara for ‘drug abuse’

    Thirty-six youths, including three women, have been arrested for alleged drug abuse in the last two weeks in Kwara State, Commander National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mr. Ona Ogilegwu has said.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin yesterday that the suspects were aged between 14 and 25.

    “We arrested 25 people for drug abuse a week before the election, while the remaining 11 were nabbed four days to election in 16 spots in Ilorin metropolis, in areas such as Asadam, Maraba motor garage, Idiape and Oko-olowo

    “We usually counsel those that smoke Indian hemp and prosecute the dealers, for the law to take its course,” Ogilegwu said.

    Read also: Suspected drug peddlers kill NDLEA officials

    The NDLEA boss said more youths were involved in abuse of drugs such as Tramadol, Indian hemp and even inhaling pit latrine.

    “Three months ago, acting on information from a source, we seized over three tonnes of compressed Indian hemp coming into the state from Ghana,” he said.

    Ogilegwu said the NDLEA would intensify effort to stop drug abuse and ensure sanity among youths.

  • Suspected drug peddlers kill NDLEA officials

    Hoodlums, suspected to be drug peddlers, on Sunday night reportedly killed four officials of the Ondo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The incident occurred in Ifon, the headquarters of Ose Local Government.

    Sources said the hoodlums also torched the official vehicle of the agency used for patrolling.

    The Nation learnt that the three suspected drug peddlers carried AK47 rifles and other weapons when they attacked the  NDLEA officials, who were on patrol along Ikaro-Sabo Road.

    The drug peddlers were said to be on a motorcycle during the attack. They shot five NDLEA officials in the chest, but one of them escaped into the bush.

    Read also: Alleged murder: Danish is police’s prime suspect, says witness

    The hoodlums carted away their rifles and personal effects.

    The deceased are Abduljalad Mohammed, Wellington Emmanuel, Magaji Aliu and Mohammed lliyasu.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident, said: “We will collaborate with the NDLEA to bring the culprits to book. The command is investigating the incident with a view to bringing the culprits to book.”

  • 25 held as NDLEA seizes 407.2kg of hard drugs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 407.205kg of hard drugs during a raid on some notorious dens in Lagos State.

    Places raided are in Shitta and Akerele in Surulere; Alaba Rago, Idi-Araba, Ijora, Mile II, Ajegunle, Amuwo-Odofin, Ipodo, Abule-Egba, Ajah and Ajao Estate.

    In a statement yesterday, Assistant Commander, Operations and Intelligence Unit, Lagos Command, Ojo Ogbechema said NDLEA  seized volumes of cannabis sativa aka Indian hemp during the raid.

    He said the seized narcotics at Alaba Rago weighed 108.9kg; 270.2kg was confiscated at Akerele.

    Ogbechema said nine drug dealers and 25 drug users had been arrested from January 1 to date.

    The users, he said, had been counselled and reunited with their families, adding that the dealers were  charged to court.

    “By this, we are creating a drug free and violent free environment for a smooth conduct of the general election.

    “Due to the importance of the elections to the sustenance of our democracy, and survival of our great nation, all hands must be on deck to ensure that they were peaceful and credible.

    “For us at the NDLEA, especially Lagos Command, we shall do all that is required to ensure the success of these elections,” Ogbechema said.

  • NDLEA nabs 20 drug suspects, recovers PVCs

    The Akwa Ibom state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 120 suspects for alleged possession of hard drugs.

    They were also caught with Permanent Voters’ Card.

    The agency said the arrests were made within a period of five months when it embarked on pre-elections raid operations in the state.

    According to a release signed by the State Commander, Mohammed Sokoto and made available to our correspondent in Uyo, some of the suspects were arrested with 51kg of cannabis, 250 grammes of heroin and 17 grammes of cocaine, 500 grammes of tramadol diazepam and polypro.

    He said another suspect; Prince Bassey who was also arrested with 244 PVCs has been handed over to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for further investigation.

    Read Also: NDLEA arrests 339 suspected drug lords

    “The NDLEA, Akwa Ibom State Command embarked on pre-elections raid operations between September 2018 and January 2019. Within the period, 120 suspects have been arrested with 51kg of cannabis, 259 grammes of heroin and 17 grammes of cocaine, 500 grammes of tramadol diazepam and polypro.

    “A suspect named Prince Okon Bassey was arrested on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Mbo local government area with 244 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) bearing different identities (the suspect was transferred to INEC for further investigation);

    “While one Joy Monday Adams (Miss), a notorious hard drugs dealer in the state was arrested with 239 grammes of heroin and has been charged to court and is currently remanded in person custody for trial this week.

    “A total monetary exhibit of N301, 000 was recovered as proceeds from drug sales,” the statement read.

  • NDLEA raids illicit drug producing factory

    Personnel of Abia State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has raided an illicit drug producing factory in Aba, Abia State.

    The NDLEA personnel also arrested four men in connection with the production of unlicensed Diazepam; a sleep-inducing anti-depressant drug.

    The Nation gathered that the illicit drug factory uses big lister generator, two packing and sealing machines, two tablet-making machines, one mixing machine, one big dryer and other appliances to carry out their unauthorized activities.

    There were also unsealed tablets with waste products from packaging littering the floor of the production rooms forming the laboratory when the newsmen visited the warehouse- turned- laboratory

    NDLEA state commander, Bamidele Akingbade who took newsmen round the drug production laboratory located at Omenihu Street, off Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Osisioma local government area, near Aba said that the company which produces a brand of Diazepam, named Dizapam is doing so without license and in an unauthorized environment within a residential area.

    According to Akingbade the drug is not only substandard, but was manufactured with the name of an Indian drug company known as Shalina Laboratories PVT, India.

    He said that the personnel of the agency, acting on intelligence had carried out a survey of the facility before the raid.

    Read Also: Man sues NDLEA for son’s death

    Although the commander did not give the names of the arrested persons, he claimed that the suspects were caught working in the laboratory when his men carried out raid of the warehouse.

    He further disclosed that the owner of the factory who operates from Onitsha in Anambra State, is at large, stating that the agency’s personnel are on his trail and would be arraigned in court as soon as the long arm of the catches him.

    “What they do here is compounding and making diazepam illicitly because from the test that has been conducted, it proved positive for Diazepam but the production, registration is not controlled.

    “So it is a clandestine laboratory. He has no number. He has nothing to show government why he is producing the drug.

    “I want to add that Diazepam that is produced here is a controlled drug and if a drug is controlled it means that it affects the central nervous system and the use or abuse of it can lead to addiction or general damage to the user’s brain.

    “It is a depressant and used for treatment of insomnia and anxiety. So we expect that it should not be produced by a single individual in this environment”, he said.

    Akingbade while lamenting that some of the illicit drugs have infiltrated the market in Aba and the urged persons buying diazepam in Aba or the Southeast to check and ensure they got the authentic one.

    He also urged persons who reside in these areas with information on such unlicensed drug productions to report to NDLEA for prompt action in order to save lives.

     

  • Army recovers locally-made pistol after foiled robbery

    Soldiers attached to the 145 Battalion Ukwa West under 14 Brigade army headquarters, Ohafia have recovered a locally-made pistol after foiling an robbery operation at Milverton , a popular road housing various transport companies in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.

    Milverton has remained one of the notorious flash spots in Abia with open sales and consumption of hard drugs despite several raids by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    It was gathered the soldiers arrived Milverton at about 10pm in two hilux vans on a routine patrol within the Aba North and South local government area when they got a distress call that armed robbers were operating in the area.

    It was learnt the armed robbers on sighting men of the Nigerian Army fired shots into the air while escaping from the scene but the soldiers were said to have fired back.

    Our reporter, who learnt that the situation caused people to scamper for safety, also found out some passers -by were hit by stray bullets while the soldiers chased after the hoodlums.

    Some of the victims whose identities were yet to known at the time of filing this report were said to be receiving medical attention in different private clinics, including a private hospital located at Azikiwe off East.

    Another version of the report has it that two men among the injured persons sustained serious life-threatening gun wounds in their separate thighs and near the scrotum region.

    An eyewitness told our reporter the soldiers absconded after chasing some unknown persons and firing at close range immediately they noticed the damage they have done.

    Read Also: Fake news: Army chief calls for caution

    But a military source, who pleaded anonymity, denied the claim and stating the soldiers went after the criminals, not knowing that stray bullets hit some persons.

    “The boys were not on illegal duty. They were on night patrol when they distress information that there was a robbery incident going on at Milverton.

    “They quickly went there and on reaching there, the hoodlums saw them and started firing at them.

    “However, the soldiers responded and when the hoodlums noticed that the military weapon was superior to theirs, they took to their heels, while being chased after by the soldiers.

    “It was much later that we heard from the police who came to the scene while the soldiers chase after the hoodlums that some persons were injured at Milverton.

    “The soldiers who went on that operation are already detained and were being questioned. Investigation into the matter has also started and we will get back to the public as soon as we are done with investigation,” a military source added.

  • Congolese jailed four years for attempting to export Tramadol

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a Congo Republic national, Mampouya Zitou Felix, to four years imprisonment for attempting to export 26.900 kilogrammes of Tramadol, a banned drug, to his country.

    Justice Ayotunde Faji convicted Felix, 58, following his plea of guilty to a two-count-charge of conspiracy and unlawful exportation of the drug.

    Read Also:Court orders destruction of 14 containers of Tramadol

    The judge held: “The offence for which the convict is charged is rampant and has damaged the nation’s image.

    “I do not believe that he did not know the content of the package, having confessed that that was the fourth time he wanted to export it before he was apprehended.

    “Consequently, I shall sentence the convict to four year imprisonment, starting from April, 2018. I also order that the convict shall be deported back to Congo at the completion of his jail term”.

    Felix was arrested on March 23, during the outward clearance of goods at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) export shed, of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

    He was accused of engaging in the delivery and exportation of 27kg of 120mg and 225mg capsules of Tramadol, a psychotropic substance listed in the Second Schedule of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned Felix on a two count-charge of conspiracy and unlawful exportation of the said narcotics.

    He pleaded guilty.

    The offences, the NDLEA said contravened sections 11(b) and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, 2004.

    Following his plea, prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Juliana Iroabuchi, tendered exhibits and urged the court to convict the defendant.

    But, defence counsel Chief Lilian Omotunde prayed the court to temper justice with mercy for the convict, who she said was a foreigner with all his family in Congo.