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Tag: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

  • 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

  • Oyo hands over 21 refurbished patrol vans to security agencies

    Oyo hands over 21 refurbished patrol vans to security agencies

    The Oyo State Security Trust Fund Friday handed over 10 refurbished patrol vehicles to the Oyo State Police Command.

    They were a tranche of a total of 21 vehicles refurbished by the fund which are being handed over as they are ready.

    Friday’s 10 vehicles went to the police but heads of other security agencies were in attendance. Five had been given to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while the DSS got one. Another set of five is being refurbished for the police.

    Presenting the vehicles, the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on security, Mr Segun Bolarinwa, explained that government refurbished the vehicles to enhance patrol and other related security activities in the state.

    He said government was convinced that no meaningful socio-economic activity can take place without peace and security.

    He pointed out that the security agencies have challenges in several areas, pointing out that the fund helps in areas of communication gadget, emergency call centre, armor vests and pepper spray in addition to vehicles.

    “We need to maintain all our facilities to ensure all security agencies are working well in the state.” He said.

    Bolarinwa put the cost of refurbishing the vehicles at N25 million.

    The Executive Secretary of the Fund, Mr Femi Oyedipe, explained that the vehicles were refurbished as a way of encouraging maintenance culture in addition to exorbitant cost of buying new ones.

    Oyedipe said others would soon be handed over in the second phase. He thanked all the security agencies for cooperating with the state government in its efforts to keep the state safe for all residents.

    Responding on behalf of all security agencies, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abiodun Odude, expressed gratitude to Governor Ajimobi for coming to the aid of the command by refurbishing 10 patrol vans.

    “We know this is the first phase. This further confirms state government understands of our challenges. We shall ensure that the vehicles are well maintained to make Oyo State safer.”

    At the event were heads of the DSS, Air Force and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

  • Court convicts 87-year-old woman of drug trafficking

    Court convicts 87-year-old woman of drug trafficking

    Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Thursday convicted an 87 year-old woman, Maria Seriki, of  dealing in 10.3 kg of Cannabis Sativa.

    The judge, however, ordered that the convict be remanded at the Lagos State Old People’s Home, pending the time a member of her family, willing to take proper care of her, applied to the court for her custody.

    The convict, a resident of Oto-Awori, in Ijanikin, Lagos, had on Nov. 7, pleaded guilty to a one count charge of trafficking 10.3kg of Cannabis,  also known as hemp.

    She was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ).

    After her plea, the prosecutor, Mr Aliyu Abubakar, had urged the court to adjourn the matter, for a review of the fact of the case.

    At the resumed hearing of the case, the prosecutor tendered some exhibits which included the convict’s statements, a drug test analysis and the bulk of the substance seized from her, which were admitted as exhibits by the court.

    After admitting the exhibits, the court pronounced the 87 years old woman, convicted as charged.

    However, the convict’s lawyer, Mr Prosper Ojakovo, in his plea for mercy of the convict , urged the court to be lenient in sentencing her.

    He told the court that she was a first time offender, who had nobody to take care of her.

    He pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, and consider her age in sentencing.

    In her judgment, Shagari stated that sending her to prison would not be of any benefit, especially considering her age.

    The judge, consequently ordered that the convict be remanded at the Lagos State Old People’s Home, Yaba.

    In another matter, Shagari sentenced a 56-year-old woman, Anya Nneoma, to 12 months imprisonment, for unlawfully dealing in 5.5 kg of hemp.

    Anya, a resident of Badagry, had also pleaded guilty on a charge of illegal dealing in hemp.

    The judge said the convict should be sent to the female section of the kirikiri Prisons, Lagos.

    NAN

  • NDLEA Destroys 54,244, 639kg of illicit drugs worth N10b in Kano

    NDLEA Destroys 54,244, 639kg of illicit drugs worth N10b in Kano

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) yesterday in Kano destroyed over 54, 244, 639kg of assorted narcotic drugs worth over N10 billion.
    Speaking during a brief ceremony witnessed by Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the state NDLEA chairman and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd) raised the alarm over the high rate of Nigerian youths and women engaging in drug abuse and trafficking.
    According to him, the future of our youths should be paramount and from indication, with the involvement of them in drugs, the Federal Government must take immediate action to redeem their future and also tackle the menace of drug abuse.
    He added that, “in as much as the tonnage of the seized drugs for destruction today is a clear indication of a good performance by NDLEA, for 54.244 metric tons of drugs to be intercepted from a particular state in no such a long period of time is of unacceptable magnitude and quiet worrisome. It speaks of the extent and prevalence of these deadly substances in the state.”
    Giving details of the seizure, the NDLEA state Commander, Hamza Umar said it was a collective efforts of the state Command and the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport ( MAKIA ), NDLEA Command.
    According to him, “to fully appreciate the abnormality and magnitude of the problem, the two Commands within the last three years (2015-2017) made a total seizure of 12, 314, 3211 in 2016 and in 2017,  47, 12, 314, 3211KG from January to date, 14, 99, 424kg seizure was made as you can see the analysis of what we are burning today.”
    He said in all the figures, Cannabis Sativa was 11, 504.822kg, Psychotropic substances 42, 700.27kg, Cocaine 26.187kg, Heroine 13.360kg, adding that, “all the achievements would not have been possible without the full support of a visionary leader, His Excellency Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who provided condusive atmosphere to operate.”
    Umar also hailed the effort of the Joint Task Force that involved all the security agencies would not have worked positively without Ganduje’s moral and financial support, adding that the operational vehicles of the Command were mostly donation from Kano state Government.
    The NDLEA boss also used the opportunity to appeal to Governor Ganduje to facilitate the completion of rehabilitation centre which he said when completed will help in discouraging youths against the dangers of drug abuse.
    In his address, Governor Ganduje promised continuous support to NDLEA, just as he thanked Kano people, particularly the  Kano Concerned Citizens for their effort in curbing the menace of drug abuse among youths in the state.
     
    He added that apart from donating operational vehicles to NDLEA, his administration has continued to support the agency financially and otherwise, including the creation of a Special Taskforce that is aiding the agency in the fight against drug abuse.
    In his speech, the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Youths and Students Affairs, Nasiru Adhama, regretted that crimes committed by youths are mostly caused by drug abuse.
    He advocated for more funding to the NDLEA, pointing out that, “how can the NDLEA fight drugs trafficking with meager Capital Budget of N127 million and total overhead of N393 million in 2017?”
  • NOA boss expresses concern over drug abuse among youths

    NOA boss expresses concern over drug abuse among youths

    Alhaji Mato Yakubu, State Director, National Orientation Agency ( NOA ) has decried the high level of indiscipline and drug abuse among youths, especially secondary school students.

    Yakubu expressed his concern during a sensitisation programme on drug abuse among primary school and secondary school students organised at Central Primary School Gombe on Tuesday.

    He said that the agency embarked on the exercise because of the menace of drug abuse and addiction among the youths in the state.

    Yakubu noted that youths were an important segment of society describing them as leaders of tomorrow.

    He advised the youths to shun people with questionable character, avoid all forms of social vices and be at peace with one another.

    The state director said youths should be disciplined, skilled and self-reliant so as to reduce over-dependence on parents and government.

    Also, the state Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), Aliyu Adole said the abuse of drugs had negative effects on the brain and other systems of the body.

    Adole, who was represented by Mohammed Alkali, an officer in the agency, said that students were not supposed to be exposed to hard drugs because it could damage their brains.

    He advised them not accept substances from politicians to commit any crime.

    The commandant also advised students to make sure that they kept good friends and stopped associating with bad friends.

    Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar, the Senior District Head of Gombe, also advised students to focus on their studies and develop interest in positive things that would be of benefit to them in future.

    NOA had organised the programme at Community Secondary School, Dukku; Central Primary School, Dukku; and Government Comprehensive, Bojude, Hassan, among others.

    NAN

  • NDLEA seizes 2,005kg of Indian Hemp in 2 days – Commander

    NDLEA seizes 2,005kg of Indian Hemp in 2 days – Commander

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) Niger Command, said it arrested five suspects and seized 2005 kilogrammes of Indian Hemp in two days.

    NDLEA Commander Egwunwoke Silvia disclosed this in an interview  in Minna on Monday.

    She said that a suspect was arrested with 37 bags of the substance weighing 337 Kilogrammes concealed in a Mitsubishi Canter truck conveying mattresses.

    She said that the mode of concealment was to beat security checks and the consignment was intercepted at Jebba by officials of the agency while being transported to Gwada in Shiroro Local Government Area.

    The Commander explained that the Kagara Area command o0f the agency also intercepted a canter truck conveying 66 bags of compressed dried weeds suspected to be India hemp weighing 1,668 kilogrammes.

    She said that four suspects were arrested and investigation had already commenced.

    ” The interception of these concealment have in no small measure prevented the risk of having such large quantity of this deadly substance in circulation in our midst.”

    She said that the command had resolved to ensure that the merchants of death were chased out of the state through aggressive security measures that would stem their nefarious activities.

    NAN

  • 57-year-old grandmother, others nabbed for cultivating indian hemp 

    57-year-old grandmother, others nabbed for cultivating indian hemp 

    Four persons including a 57-year old grandmother have been arrested for allegedly cultivating Indian hemp at Ogorie village in Uhunmwode local government area.

    Three other suspects were also nabbed after one of the workers who was recently employed was arrested by men of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Names of the suspects were given as Joy Issele aged 57, Amadin Eribo aged 22, Lucky Osele aged 42 and the village head, Peter Igbinudud.

    Speaking during a parade at the state headquarters of the NSCDC, the suspects said they were just workers who earned N7000 monthly.

    The grandmother, Joy, said it was her husband identified as Gowon that usually gave them land to cultivate Indian hemp.

    Joy claimed that her husband ran away when security operatives closed in on him which led to her arrest.

    She said her husband does not know what type of crop the farmers plant on the farm.

    According to her, “My husband ran away and they arrested me. I don’t sell Indian hemp. My husband does not sell. He gave them the land for N5000 per plot.”

    But other suspects countered her saying her husband was the farm manager who helped to hire farm workers.

    Amadin said he opted to work in the Indian hemp farm to enable raise money to pay his debts.

    He said he was promised two bags of hemp after one year of service.

    His words, “I am a worker with Gowon. I entered jungle to look for money. They are to give me two bags of hemp after a year. I went to cultivate some hemp from the farm to pay for debt. Gowon ran away and they arrested his wife.

    Lucky claimed he was just a worker under Gowon and was paid N7000 monthly for feeding.

    He said he does not harvest the crops.

    Peter Igbinudu said he was arrested because he is the village head and did not stop the indian hemp farmers from carrying on with the trade.

    “I have been warning them to stop but they didn’t need to my warnings. Police arrested me because I am the village head.”

    Edo State Commandant of NSCDC, Iskil Makinde, said his men would carry out more vigilance in order to keep the state safe.

    He said the suspects would soon be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution.

    The suspects however caused a stir when they prostrated before the Commandant to beg for leniency.

  • NDLEA advises Enugu residents against self medication

    NDLEA advises Enugu residents against self medication

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) has advised Enugu residents to desist from self medication to avoid drug abuse.

    The State Commander of the agency, Dr Anthony Ohanyere, gave the advice on Friday in Enugu in an interview.

    Ohanyere observed that some residents of Enugu took delight in patronising open drug shops, especially chemists, to buy drugs without due consultation with a physician or pharmacist.

    He noted that out of ignorance, the people indulged in taking controlled drugs, which from medical authorities should be duly prescribed by a health expert.

    The commander said that these controlled drugs could be taken only on prescription as they were high risk drugs, which can cause monumental health problems immediately or later to the user.

    According to him, some of the effects of abuse of controlled drugs include illusions and hallucinations.

    Other effects, he added were; poor perception of time and distance, depression and anxiety, violent behaviuor as well as longer and more intense “trip’’ episodes.

    He also identified other effects as slurred speech, disorientation, fatigue, paranoia, shallow respiration, euphoria, and psychosis, drunken behaviour, clammy skin, dilated pupil and well as weak and rapid pulse.

    He said drowsiness, respiratory inhibition, increased pulse rate and irritability, blood pressure complications, sleeplessness, coma and finally death could also occasion through drug abuse.

    “Our people should stop self medication because of its costly consequences, especially the buying and use of controlled drugs.

    “All over the world, it is doctors, dentists and appropriately qualified medical personnel that can dispense controlled drugs due to its adverse effect, if used or applied wrongly.

    “On the other hand, only qualified and certified pharmacists that can dispense this category of drugs, because they are knowledgeable in the chemistry and properties of drugs,’’ he said.

    It had been a public knowledge that some residents, especially youths, on their own buy some of these controlled drugs especially Tramadol.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 38 suspects in Bayelsa for illicit drugs

    NDLEA arrests 38 suspects in Bayelsa for illicit drugs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), Bayelsa Command, on Wednesday, said it arrested 38 drug suspects and seized 29.751 kilogrammes of illicit drugs in the state in September, 2017.

    The command’s Principal Staff Officer and Superintendent of Narcotics, Osakwe Ikenna, gave the figure in a statement in Yenagoa.

    Ikenna stated that the suspects included 26, male adults and 12, female offenders.

    He said that the illicit drugs seized from the suspects comprised cannabis sativa, psychotropic substances, heroin and cocaine.

    Ikenna said that statistics of arrest and seizure investigations showed high rate of abuse of psychotropic substances especially tramadol by both old and young people in communities across Bayelsa.

    The NDLEA official expressed concern over the high rate of abuse of tramadol in the state by women and youths.

    He said the command successfully counseled more than 25 substance dependent persons in Bayelsa from July to September 2017.

    According to him, the trend in the consumption of tramadol and other psychotropic substances in the state was alarming.

    He said that the State Commander of the agency, Abdullahi Abdul, would convene stakeholders meetings and rallies to sensitise the residents on the dangers of consumption of illicit drugs.

    Ikenna appealed to parents and guardians in the state to keep watch over the activities of their children and wards to ensure that they were not misled or pressured into illegal drug use.

    He appealed to the people of Bayelsa to ensure vigilance over illegal drug activities in their communities.

    He also urged them to report such activities to the state command for further action with full assurances of confidentiality.

    NAN

  • NDLEA destroys 60.5 hectares of cannabis farm in Osun

    NDLEA destroys 60.5 hectares of cannabis farm in Osun

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), Osun command, on Saturday disclosed that it destroyed a 60.8 hectares of India hemp (Cannabis Sativa) farm at Ikeji Arakeji, in the state.

    Mr Samuel Egbeola, the state commandant of the NDLEA disclosed this during an interview with journalists at the agency’s office in Osogbo.

    According to Egbeola, the hemp farm was discovered and destroyed on Thursday, following a tip-off from an informant.

    He said the agency also seized 10 bags of already harvested cannabis which weighed 107.4kilograms.

    He said two suspects found on the farm during the operation were equally arrested and that the arrested suspects were helping the agency in their investigation.

    The NDLEA boss assured the people of the state that the agency would always stick to its responsibilities of ensuring a drug free state.

    “We are appealing to the people of the state to always relate information on illicit drug operations, especially cannabis farms to the NDLEA.

    “Our office is always open, so people with useful information are always welcome to come in at anytime so we can all work together in ensuring a drug free state.

    “It is our mandate to rid the state of illicit drugs and this could only be made possible with the support and cooperation of the people.” he said

    He said he was grateful  for the support the office has been receiving from the public and urged for more cooperation.

    The command had on Wednesday, announced that it destroyed a 16.8-hectare, Indian hemp (Cannabis Sativa) farm located in Ikoyi, Osun, on Sept.26.

    NAN