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Tag: National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

  • 14.2m Nigerians took drugs in 2018, says NDLEA

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said 14.2 million Nigerians consumed illicit drugs last year.

    The agency’s chairman, Col. Mohammad Abdallah (retd), addressed reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on the side-line of the sent-forth ceremony organised for the retiring commander of state command, Ona Ogilegwe.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Oloruntoba, the NDLEA chairman said: “Everybody is alarmed at the rate drugs are abused these days.”

    Making reference to United Nations (UN) statistics, Abdallah said: “The recent United Nations drugs survey put it that 14.2 million Nigerians consumed illicit drugs in 2018. This is higher than the global statistics. Globally, it is estimated that only five million people took drugs last year. Ironically and frighteningly, it means 14.2 per cent of Nigerians took drugs last year.

    “What it means is that every Okada rider that you see working from 6 a.m to 10 p.m is on something. The cultists, the kidnappers who pitch tent in the bush are on drugs. What it means also is that if government fights drugs, it has fought 50 per cent of criminality in Nigeria.”

    The NDLEA chairman urged the government to provide the tools, the fund and the personnel for the war against drug abuse to be successful across the country.

    Read Also: Group partner NDLEA in war against drug abuse

    “What we are asking government to do is to give us the materials, men and money – the three Ms – and, of course, equipment.

    “It is better to soak the presence of NDLEA men in all the corners of the country. What I am saying is that the presence of NDLEA cannot be felt in every nook and cranny of Nigeria because we are short of men.

    “Adequate equipment is where the world is gravitating to. Equipment can solve a lot of problems without physically being there. I was opportune to see it in China.

    “If you are at the police headquarters in China, you will see all that is happening in the cities of Bejin one after the other. Even if government cannot do that for us, it should give us the minimum to police the borders, airports and seaports.

  • NDLEA arraigns suspected drug syndicate

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday arraigned a drug syndicate at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The suspects were charged with conspiracy, unlawful production, storage and transportation of 309 kilogrammes of Ephedrine, a banned substance.

    They are Okeke Celestine, 36, Sunday Amobi, 38, Ilelabayo Oluwade,50, Eze Paul, 39, Ezeh Ikechukwu, 36, and Ike Samson.

    Prosecuting counsel Jonathan Ogwunbor said the defendants on March 19 conspired to import the banned substance from Ghana illegally.

    Read Also: NDLEA arrests 81 for illicit drug peddling in Oyo

    Celestine, Amobi, Ezeh and Samson were accused of engaging in the possession of equipment and material for the production of another banned substance, Methamphetamine.

    The alleged offence, according to Ogwubor, is contrary to and punishable under sections 14(b), 11(b), 11(a) 19, 20(1)(a) and 20(e) of the NDLEA Act of 2004.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Saliu Saidu granted them N30 million bail each with two sureties.

    One of the sureties must be a landed property owner within the court’s jurisdiction; the other must be a Federal or Lagos State government worker on Grade Level 15 and above.

    Justice Saidu also ordered that the defendants and their sureties must submit two recent passport photographs to the court.

    He directed the prosecutor and registrar to verify that the bail terms have been fulfilled.

    Justice Saidu adjourned till May 30 for trial.

     

  • NDLEA apprehends 250 drug suspects in Kano

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended over 250 addicts and dislocated 45 drug joints in Kano.

    Its state commander Dr Ibrahim Abdul, who stated this during a media briefing on Wednesday, said the anti-drug law agency also confiscated different types of drugs among which are Cannabis Sativa, heroin and cocaine.

    Abdul maintained as a result of rigorous vigilante by the personnel of the agency illicit drugs like Tramadol and cough syrup with codeine are nowhere to be found in the state.

    Read Also: Observers adjudge polls in Kano free and fair

    He explained the command was able to seize cannabis of about 872kilogram, 715kilogram of mycotrophic substances, cocaine 400Grams and kyats 50grams making a total of 1.637kg.

    The state NDLEA commander charged politicians to desist from the act of misguiding youths to political thuggery aimed at having a drug free society.

    He explained some political icons in the state were in the habit of using their premises to commit drug offences, which was a clear violation of the NDLEA act.

    He stated criminals found dealing with drugs in those premises had been apprehended while the politicians have been invited by NDLEA and are currently facing investigation.

  • Trafficker bags 37 years for importing cocaine

    A Federal High Court in Lagos Friday sentenced a drug trafficker, Efobi Onyeka Innocent, to 37 years imprisonment, for unlawful importation of 1.515 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil.

    Justice Ayotunde Faji convicted Innocent, 36, following his second plea of guilty to a three-count charge of unlawful possession of cocaine and conspiracy to unlawfully import the said drug.

    The judge sentenced Innocent to 15 years imprisonment on count one, seven years on count two and fifteen years on count three. The terms shall run concurrently.

    The convict was arraigned by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    NDLEA counsel, Mrs. Juliana Imaobong Iroabuchi, said offences contravened sections 11(d,) 11(b) and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, 2004.

    But Innocent pleaded not guilty.

    During the trial, Iroabuchi called six witnesses, who testified that the convict was arrested at the arrival hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on September 27, 2017, when it was discovered that he ingested the cocaine from Brazil en route Morocco.

    They told the court that he excreted same six times during interrogation.

    Midway through the trial, Innocent changed his plea to guilty.

    His counsel prayed the court to be lenient in sentencing his client, on the ground that he was a first time offender with no previous criminal record and had become remorseful in detention.

    The lawyer said the convict engaged in the act to raise money for his collapsed business.

    Following the plea, Justice Faji adjourned for sentencing.

    But delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Faji turned down Innocent’s plea.

    The judge held: “I do not agree that the convict is remorseful, he only changed his plea after the prosecution had gone far with his trial.

    “One must not lose sight of the rampant nature of the crime. Consequently, I shall sentence you, Efobi Onyeka Innocent, to 15 years imprisonment on count one, seven years on count two and fifteen years on count three. The terms shall run concurrently”.

  • NDLEA confiscates over 9607 kg of illicit drugs in Kano

    The Kano State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said on Thursday that it confiscated  9,607.72 kilogrammes  of illicit drugs from January to date.

    The Commandant, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul who disclosed this in Kano while briefing journalists on the activities of the command this year, said the confiscated drugs approximated 10 tonnes of exhibits.

    Abdul said that the command intercepted 1,697.74 kilogrammes of cannabis, 27.7 grammes of cocaine and 10.9 grammes of heroin.

    “We also intercepted 1,760.08 kilogrammes of codein, 5,886.45 kilogrammes of diazepam 149.45 kilogrammes of Pentazocine  and 343.7 kilograms of Rephynol,’’ he said.

    Read Also:NDLEA freezes suspected Tramadol importer’s accounts

     

    He said the command also secured the conviction of no fewer than 92 drug traffickers in the state during the period.

    The commandant said at present, 55 cases of drug trafficking were still pending while two had been discharged.

    Abdul said so far, the command had arrested 502 suspects 497 of whom are male while five are female.

    He called on parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders and all stakeholders to continue to give the necessary support to the command in its fight against drug abuse.

    The commandant also commended the state government for all its efforts and support in the fight against the menace in the state.

  • Oyo holds emergency security summit to prevent bank robberies

    Following the increasing state of bank robbery and attacks on bank facilities across in its neighbouring states, Oyo State government on Tuesday summoned all security chiefs in the state to an emergency security meeting.

    The meeting, attended by heads of security agencies in the state, bankers from various financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders, held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

    Security stakeholders at the meeting included the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force,  Nigeria Police, Department of State Security  (DSS), National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Security Trust Fund, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps  (NSCDC), and bankers.

    The meeting was said to be to strengthen the security architecture and apparatus in the state with a view to preventing robbery attacks on banks and other financial institutions across the state.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi, while declaring the meeting open said the meeting was convened based on his vision and mission to ensuring a crime-free State.

    The governor was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo at the meeting which was also attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan All, Ajimobi’s Special Adviser on Security Mr. Segun Abolarinwa and other top government functionaries.

    Ajimobi who boasted that there has not been any successful bank robbery incident in the state since his emergence as the governor on May 29, 2011, noted that his administration is keen on keeping and maintain the status quo.

    Read Also: Oyo workers get September, October salaries

    He said, “This meeting has been convened in reaction to an observation of a noticeable increase in the activities of criminals in neighboring states, especially attacks on our banks. In line with these observations, the State Government believes that an anticipatory approach is needed to counter/forestall any such happenings in Oyo State.

    “The state is ready to continue to support all security agencies present in Oyo State to achieve their primary functions. This is in the realization of the fact that it is only where there is peace that development can occur and the main goal of this administration is to better the lot of its citizenry. I once emphasized at a previous occasion that the entrenchment of a peaceful atmosphere has thus given room for all the developmental projects which we have been able to implement.”

    “It is a common knowledge that before the inception of this administration in 2011, insecurity in form of armed robberies, arson and other violent crimes as well as lawlessness from the nefarious activities of ‘area boys’ had been the order of the day.

    “The prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state has been the result of the zero tolerance for crime by this administration and also through the commitment of the State Government to combating crime through steps such as the establishment of Oyo State Joint Security Patrol Squad code named ‘Operation Burst’ as well as the setting up of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund.”

    Ajimobi stated further that the monthly state security council meeting has also allowed for a robust review of the activities of all the security agencies in keeping the state abreast of all challenges.

    “For the furtherance of our agenda on safety and security, we embraced the safe city project, which utilises cutting edge technology solutions to nip crime and criminality in the bud. I can confirm that the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) in black spots and business districts in the city to monitor the activities of criminals has been completed and is now operational,” Ajimobi said.

    He enjoined all the stakeholders at the security meeting to support the government and work together during the “festive season and upcoming election period to enable us to continue to provide an investor friendly environment that will increase the economic profile of the state. You have all been a part of our success story in this regard”, he added.

  • NDLEA arrests Lebanese for alleged drug dealing

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday arrested a Lebanese man, Chef Charbel Chalouhi, suspected of using and dealing in drugs.

    Chalouhi, of No. 18, Wahab Ogunbambo Street, off Simeon Akinlonu Crescent, Victoria Island, was arrested following a tip off from worried residents of the area.

    He is being held at the NDLEA’s Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Lagos Command, Ikeja.

    Read Also:NDLEA raids clubs, hotels for drugs in Oyo

    Also arrested were his Lebanese girlfriend and Nigerian driver, both suspected of being his accomplices.

    The Nation gathered that NDLEA agents trailed Chalouhi and his driver for some time before raiding his home at about 8am, where they allegedly found at least 1kg of cocaine.

    A life-long resident of Simeon Akinlonu Crescent, Mr Samuel Olu, told The Nation that he witnessed the arrest.

    Olu, who said he also works on Victoria Island, said the NDLEA combed several homes in the area and questioned the occupants before arresting Chalouhi.

    “I was just walking on the street and I saw the NDLEA officials when they came in. I saw the event. When they came, they invaded his house, not even his house alone; they went to other houses too. But when they got to know that he was the one, they checked him and they took him away. He joined the NDLEA officials in the car.”

    According to Olu, residents of the area had been living in fear of drug dealers.

    He said: “People in this area have been very careful about complaining to law enforcement agencies about the activities of drug dealers, because such people can be very dangerous. If they get to know that you reported them, you could be harmed. People are living in fear, so the NDLEA should save us, save Nigerian youths.”

    Another witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Nation that some Lebanese in the country were pressurising the NDLEA to free Chalouhi.

    The source said: “Since his arrest, different Lebanese and top politicians have been calling the Lagos State Area Command and pressurising the investigating officer to drop the case.

    “It has also been brought to our knowledge that they are about to release him between tonight and tomorrow morning without prosecuting him for allegedly dealing in and using drugs, which is supposed to be a minimum of 10 years imprisonment. They refused to investigate his girlfriend.

    “Most importantly, for the security of our Nigerian youths and the prevention of the drug trading Lebanese cartels on the streets of Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi, this case should be used to set an example to foreigners taking over our streets with hard drugs.”

    The NDLEA’s Airport Command spokesperson, Mr Ahmed Garba said he was not aware of the incident, but NDLEA Lagos Area Commander, Aliu Suleiman, confirmed Chalouhi’s arrest.

    “We are still investigating,” Suleiman said.

  • NDLEA destroys 14,360 tonnes of hard drugs in Adamawa

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) on Monday, destroyed 14, 360 tonnes of illicit drugs in Yola, Adamawa.

    Mr Yakubu Kibo, the State Commander of the agency who made the disclosure during public destruction and burning of the illicit drugs said that the development followed the unrelenting efforts by the command officers.

    “Today before you we have 14,360 tonnes of hard drugs seized from March 2015 to September 2017.

    “The drugs are made up of Cannabis Sativa, Cough Syrup with Codeine, Tramadol tablets and capsules, Cocaine among others,’’ Kibo said.

    He said that the monetary value of the drugs was estimated at about N517 million.

    The NDLEA boss in the state also said that between the periods under review, the command arrested 502 suspects, adding that 236 of them were convicted and sentenced to various jail terms.

    “In addition, two vehicles, uncompleted building belonging to notorious drugs dealers were forfeited to the Federal Government.”

    Kibo also said that 180 drug dependent persons were counselled, treated and rehabilitated across the state.

    NAN

  • NDLEA Boss warns stakeholders against drug trafficking

    NDLEA Boss warns stakeholders against drug trafficking

    The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd), Wednesday in Kano, expressed disgust over the involvement of stakeholders in illicit drugs trafficking at the nation’s international airports.

    Speaking at the sensitization workshop on the Implications of Illicit Drugs trafficking for Stakeholders at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Abdallah noted that, “the trafficking of these illicit substances has always required the complexity of some few bad eggs, among the stakeholders in our air transport system.”

    The Chairman, who was represented by the Commander, Katsina State (NDLEA), Hajiya Maryam Sani, explained that the involvement of the stakeholders could be as a result of greed and, “get rich quick syndrome which has debilitating effect on our society.

    ”Gladly, things are getting worse for the merchants of death, due to strong collaborative efforts NDLEA has with the countries in our sub-region, though much is still desired at the sub-regional level, as such this collaborative effort has forced traffickers to seek for a new route in order to deliver their illicit commodities to the market, thereby ruining our economy.

    ”There are also stringent measures put in place at our various international airports, whereby the mules importing drugs into Nigeria now have to fly into neighbouring countries, or other African sub-regions from where the drugs are smuggled into Nigeria through different routes or sometimes through illegal routes, for onward delivery to consumer nations.”

    Abdallah, added that, “with this coordinated response, coupled with the Agency’s strong links with the country’s of the world, this monster of drugs traffickers shall be crushed.

    “The enemy is strong; there is need for concerted efforts to be taken at all levels of Governments and also all stakeholders because we cannot win the fight alone, as I call on all and sundry to put hands on deck to fight the drug menace in our country.”

    In his remarks, the Commander, MAKIA, Kano NDLEA, Ambrose Umoru, noted that the Command under the able-leadership of Col Abdallah (rtd), has noticed, with dismay the alarming rate at which few stakeholders within the airport community are getting involved in illicit drugs trafficking activities.

    According to him,  ” it is rather disheartening that only last month,  that five airline handlers were convicted on various count charges of complexity, aiding and abetting illicit drugs trafficking, ranging from two to three years jail terms. Also, two more airline handlers are been investigated for allegedly aiding illegal drugs couriers.”

  • NDLEA: Chadian arrested with 186kg of drugs in Yola

    NDLEA: Chadian arrested with 186kg of drugs in Yola

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested one Adamu Muhammed, a Chadian, with illicit drugs weighing 186 kilograms in Yola, Adamawa.

    The State’s Commander of the agency, Mr Yakubu Kibo, confirmed the arrest in Yola on Monday.

    Kibo said that the suspect was apprehended at Jimeta -Yola Modern Market while negotiating for a vehicle to convey the illicit substances to Cameroon for onward movement to the Chad Republic.

    “On August 12, 2017, one Adamu Muhammed, a middle aged man and Chadian, was arrested with five cartons containing Tramadol tablets weighing 186 kilograms.

    “The suspect was arrested in Jimeta -Yola modern market while negotiating for a vehicle to convey the illicit drugs to Cameroon for onward movement to its destination, Chad Republic,” Kibo said.

    In the same vein, the command stated that it equally arrested one Peter Danboyi, at Jimeta Modern Market, for being in illegal possession of one carton of cough syrup with codeine weighing 39.8 kilograms and 11 grams of Rohypnol tablets.

    He emphasized the need for neighbouring countries such as Niger, Chad and Cameroon to collaborate with Nigeria to fight the activities of illicit traders on their borders.

    He said the agency would continue to frustrate the efforts of all those who wish to make Adamawa and Nigeria a drug transit point.