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Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA uncovers illicit drugs at shrine, underground storage in Lagos

    NDLEA uncovers illicit drugs at shrine, underground storage in Lagos

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the weekend uncovered illicit substances at Igbo-Igunuko shrine located at Alfa Beach in Ajah as well as an underground storage in Lekki areas of Lagos.

    The illicit substance suspected to be Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 2,760kg were recovered on Friday and two suspects, Gbenga Abiodun and Sunday Abiodun arrested, said the NDLEA in a statement. 

    Spokesman for the agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement said that total of 11,786 pills of tramadol, molly, rohypnol and diazepam, as well as 64 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered from an underground storage that one Muhammad Warnos Abdullahi dug in his bedroom at Marwa Coastal Road, Lekki Phase 1 Lagos.

    He said the underground storage was uncovered during a raid of the suspect’s residence on Friday, saying the storage was dug in his bedroom, covered it with padlocked iron slate and rug before putting his mattress on top to avoid detection.

    Babafemi said another suspect, Ademola Oyelakin was arrested the same Friday with 770kg of suspected cannabis along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

    According to Babafemi, consignments of opioids concealed in soles of shoes and hair attachments heading to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus were intercepted by the agency’s operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos and three courier companies in the state.

    He said a total of 2,118 pills of tramadol concealed in soles of 13 pairs of shoes going to Cyprus were seized at the export shed of the Lagos airport on October 12, and additional 380 tablets recovered from the home of the sender, Okenwa Kelvin Uchenna during a follow up operation in Enugu on Thursday, October 24, adding that N968,880 cash and a Toyota Avalon car marked UWN389AS, were also recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest. 

    Read Also: Nigeria urges global action on climate change at CHOGM 2024

    Continuing, Babafemi said the agency intercepted at least 293 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injection, and 1.690kg cannabis and tramadol tablets concealed in hair attachments and soles of shoes going to the United States, United Kingdom and Oman at three courier firms on Thursday.

    “In the same vein, a total of 26,250,000 pills of tramadol as well as 508,400 bottles of codeine based syrup worth Sixteen Billion Six Hundred and Eighty Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N16, 683, 800,000) in street value were intercepted by NDLEA operatives during 100 percent joint examination of watch-listed containers with men of Customs Service and other security agencies at the Tincan Port in Lagos and Port Harcourt port, Onne, Rivers states between Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd October. 

    “Other illicit consignments intercepted during the joint inspection of the containers include 10 million tablets of Toradol Benzhexol and 28 plastic drums of methamphetamine weighing 700kg at Tincan and Onne respectively, while 56 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 28kg were also recovered from a container that arrived the Lagos port from Canada. 

    “A suspect, Tsolaye Eburajolo, 40, was arrested at Ago Palace area of Okota Lagos in connection with the cannabis seizure while a bribe of N10million paid NDLEA officers to free the suspect has been kept as part of the exhibits for the prosecution of the case,” he said. 

    In Plateau, a suspect Fadan Bindom, 39, was arrested at Pilgani village in possession of 65.85kg cannabis and 18 grams of tramadol, while another suspect Sunday Agbata, 42, was nabbed at Pavwei-Rayfield Jos South LGA with 5,830 tablets and ampoules of bromazepam, diazepam and pentazocine injection on Wednesday 23rd October.

    A major distributor of illicit drugs in FCT Abuja, Umar Muhammed, 40, was on Monday October 21, nabbed following the earlier seizure of a consignment of 198.5kg cannabis linked to him at Wuse Market park. 

    In Edo state, NDLEA operatives recovered 640kg cannabis concealed in 80 jumbo bags of fresh vegetables at Ewu junction, Irrua, Esan Central LGA and arrested a suspect, Austin Oruamen, 27, while  another suspect Adereti Kazeem, 35, was nabbed with 200 blocks of cannabis weighing 133kg at Obalayan, Ile-Ife, Osun state on Thursday  October 24.

  • Canadian lady jailed for importing illicit drugs

    Canadian lady jailed for importing illicit drugs

    A 41-year-old Canadian lady, Adrienne Munju, has been convicted and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos for importing 74 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of synthetic cannabis weighing 35.20 kilograms into Nigeria.  

    Director, Media and Advocacy, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

    Munju’s conviction followed her arraignment on two counts charge before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of a Federal High Court, Lagos by the NDLEA.

    She was  arrested at the terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos on Thursday 3rd October 2024 during the inward clearance of in-bound passengers on KLM flight at the ‘D’ Arrival Hall of the airport.

    In her statement after her arrest, she claimed she was recruited to traffic the illicit consignment through an online platform for 10,000 Canadian dollars upon successful delivery in Lagos. 

    The statement reads: “She said she took the offer because she needed the money to pay for her ongoing master’s degree program in Canada.

    Justice Dipeolu convicted and sentenced Muju to the term of imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against her by NDLEA.

    “Prosecuting Counsel, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the illegal acts of the convict, contravened sections 20(1}(a) and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (NDLEA) Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the same Act.

    “Following her guilty plea, the prosecutor called his witness, Angela Mba, an Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics narrated how the Canadian was arrested with the illicit drugs, after which she tendered some exhibits, which include: two suitcases that were used in concealing the drugs, her Canadian passport, confessional statements, laboratory test analysis reports and samples of the illicit drug. All the tendered exhibits were admitted as Exhibits 1 to 13.

    “After the conclusion of the review of the facts of the crime, the prosecutor urged the court to convict the Canadian as charged based on the evidence placed before the court, the exhibits tendered and the guilty plea of the defendant. As a result, Justice Dipeolu after reviewing the facts of the case as submitted by Abu Ibrahim convicted the defendant as charged.

    “After listening to the allocutus by the defendant’s counsel, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Adrienne Munju to six years imprisonment on count one and five years on count two.

    “The judge however gave the convict an option of N50 million fine on each of the two counts, bringing the total fine to N100 million.

    “The two counts charge reads: ‘That you Adrienne Munju, Adult, Female, a Canadian, on or about the 3rd of October, 2024 during the inward clearance of in-bound passengers on KLM flight at the ‘D’ Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos without lawful authority imported 35.20 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as ‘Canadian Loud’, you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to Section 20(1)(a) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (NDLEA) Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    “’That you Adrienne Munju, Adult, Female, a Canadian, on or about the 3rd of October, 2024 during the inward clearance of in-bound passengers on KLM flight at the ‘D’ Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos without lawful authority knowingly possessed 35.20 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa otherwise known as ‘Canadian Loud’, you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to Section 19 of the National Drug Law ⁠Enforcement Agency Act (NDLEA) Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.’”

    While commending the officers and men of the MMIA Strategic Command involved in the arrest and prosecution of the case as well as the judiciary for speedy adjudication, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the prompt conviction and sentencing of the convict as well as the stiff penalty will send a strong warning to foreigners and others who may be contemplating bringing illicit drugs into Nigeria.

  • NDLEA has abandoned us, family of toddler shot lament

    NDLEA has abandoned us, family of toddler shot lament

    The family of a two-year old Eromonsele Omhonria who was shot in the eye by the men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta State, has cried out that he has not received any treatment since then.

    The elder brother of the victim, Ivan, was killed in the incident by the bullets of the NDLEA officers.

    The NDLEA officers were said to be conducting a raid nearby on July 13 before the children were hit by stray bullets.

    Ivan was two and Eromonsele was one at the time of the incident.

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    The parents of the children on Tuesday said they had been abandoned by the NDLEA.

     Omhonria’ father, Fidelis told the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions yesterday.

    The family lawyer, Mathew Edaghese, said whenever the little boy cries, blood comes out from his eye and mixes with the tears.

    The family said following the incident the hospital in Delta State referred them to an eye specialist hospital in Lagos, which further referred them to a hospital in the United States.

  • Family of toddler shot in the eye by NDLEA personnel decries abandonment

    Family of toddler shot in the eye by NDLEA personnel decries abandonment

    The family of a two-year-old Eromonsele Omhonria, who was shot in the eye by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta State, has cried out he has not received any treatment since then.

    The elder brother of the victim, Ivan, was killed in the incident by the bullets of the NDLEA officers. 

    The NDLEA officers were said to be conducting a raid nearby on July 13, 2024  and the children were struck by stray bullets.

    Ivan was two and Eromonsele one at the time of the incident.

    The parents of the children on Tuesday said they had been abandoned by the agency.

    They spoke when the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions entertained the matter on Tuesday.

    In attendance were the parents of the children, their lawyer as well as representatives of the NDLEA.

    The father, Fidelis, said the surviving sibling of the unfortunate incident has been abandoned by the agency.

    Addressing members of the House Committee, the lawyer of the family, Mathew Edaghese, said whenever the little boy cries blood comes out from his eye and mixes with the tears.

    The family said following the incident, the hospital in Delta State referred them to an eye specialist hospital in Lagos, which further referred them to a hospital in the United States.

    “In respect of the surviving child with this gunshot to the eye, effort has been made in his private capacity to get this child flown to where he was prescribed to at a hospital in the United States of America by the best medical facility on eye issues in Nigeria, Eye Foundation in Lagos.

    “This recommendation was done within the first week of this incident. And they were aware of it. They did nothing about it. And the family had made several attempts to get visa. 

    Read Also: Senate summons Marwa over NDLEA’s allegation against Ashiru

    “It was denied because it is not coming from the appropriate authorities that caused the problem. One year and two months after, the child is still in pain. As of last week, a piece of glass dropped from his eye. If he cries as we speak, blood will be mixing with the tears.

    “Over one year after, a situation that was recommended for emergency attention, NDLEA went to sleep and wants him to deteriorate beyond redemption. 

    “We want to plead with this body to facilitate the trip of this innocent child whose destiny is under a serious attack for treatment where he has been recommended for treatment overseas,” Edaghese said.

    The family in their petition demanded  N2 billion compensation from the NDLEA.

    Chairman of the Committee, Hon Mike Etaba, said the surviving child must get immediate treatment.

    He however said the N2 billion demand was not feasible.

    Etaba urged the NDLEA to accept the matter be stepped down and settled on terms acceptable to all parties.

    The committee chairman expressed displeasure that Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa rtd did not show up for the hearing in person.

    He invited Marwa and the parents of the children to meet with the committee in his office on Thursday, 24th October at 10am to resolve the issue.

    Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, NDLEA, Theresa Asuquo, who represented Marwa, agreed to the terms.

    Asuquo has told the committee that the matter was before the court and should not be entertained.

    However, she was warned against misleading the committee as the matter in court was that of the State vs the erring officers, which does not stop the probe by the House.

  • Lawmaker’s attack on NDLEA borne out of vendetta, says Marwa

    Lawmaker’s attack on NDLEA borne out of vendetta, says Marwa

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), says the recent attack on its image by Sen. Oyelola Ashiru (Kwara South), was borne out of vendetta rather than on any altruistic motive or national interest.

    The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa said this on Monday in Abuja while addressing newsmen to respond to what he called disparaging statement by the lawmaker.

    According to Marwa, the lawmaker, described the NDLEA as ”corrupt and compromised” during plenary on last Tuesday.

    Marwa, represented by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said that the agency was compelled to call newsmen due to the unfortunate development.

    He said that the agency was duty-bound to respond to the unprovoked attack against it by the lawmaker during his contribution to the debate on a new bill for an Act to establish the “National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.”

    He explained that the agency waited for a week hoping the lawmaker would clarify his position on such a weighty allegation against it.

    “But failing to do that, the agency is left with no option than to come out and set the record straight for the benefit of other distinguished members of the senate, our local and international partners as well as the general public,” he said

    According to him, there is no doubt that setting up another agency is within the power of the senate and if we are invited to contribute to the debate we will be willing to offer our opinion.

    “Though we cannot fault the powers of the senate on that, yet for a member of the upper chamber to have made such an unfounded and unwarranted categorical statement against the agency led us to look inward.

    “This however made us to see what could have been responsible for such a carpeting general statement.

    “What we found was shocking, and we concluded that his statement came from a place of vendetta and certainly not out of public interest or any altruistic motive.”

    Read Also: We recovered drugs from Senator Ashiru’s house, NDLEA alleges

    The NDLEA chairman said that in spite of  the impression the lawmaker was trying to create about its image, the NDLEA had continued to receive accolades from local and international bodies.

    This, he said was for its successes in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

    ”Incidentally, the next day after the senator made the statement, NDLEA in Lagos commissioned a new Marine Command Headquarters building donated by the Government of the UK.

    “A similar facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport was donated last year by the same British government.

    “We have had other facilities donated by United States INL and executed by UNODC in the past 12 months. We have been receiving various supports from the governments of France, Germany and the US, among others.

    “Suffice it to say that in the past three years, NDLEA has emerged as a regional leader among national drug law enforcement agencies.

    “So, come to think about it, an agency so badmouthed by a lawmaker couldn’t have been attracting such international goodwill and commendation for being the most corrupt government agency in Nigeria.

    ”Against the background of our encounter with people linked to him, we want to believe that his invectives against NDLEA were borne out of vendetta and not any opinion made in the public interest,” he maintained.

    Meanwhile, Marwa said that the agency had been professional in its activities and interactions with citizens while carrying out arrests daily.

    He said that the agency had made more than 52, 000 arrests and got more than 9, 000 convictions, in the past three years including three life sentences this year.

    “And, as part of our mandate, we have engaged in over 7,000 awareness and sensitisation activities in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities.

    “There have been treatment and rehabilitation of more than 33,000 drug users including the last two persons arrested in the senator’s house.

    ”Outside this country, NDLEA has become a reference for drug law enforcement.

    “Therefore, the statement made by the senator in the country’s hallowed chamber in the course of a legislative debate, and made to justify the creation of another agency is motivated by malice.

    “It is a gross misrepresentation of fact; and it is defamatory to the image of NDLEA. We believe the well-meaning public; our stakeholders and our partners can see through such calculated mendacity, “he added.

    The NDLEA boss pledged that the agency would remain undeterred by the attack but would be relentless in ongoing effort to dismantle all illicit drug networks across the country.

    According to him, if Sen. Ashiru has a personal grudge against NDLEA, it shouldn’t be cloaked as a matter of public concern.

    “His statement of Oct. 15, uttered in the hallowed chamber of the Nigerian senate, is a gross abuse of his position as a legislator of the Federal Republic.

    “And we dare say that such will not deter us from our ongoing effort to dismantle all illicit drug networks.

    ”NDLEA since January 2021 has been on a journey of reforms, and so far, we are glad with the progress we are making.

    ”We are grateful to the federal and state governments for the support we have been enjoying,” he said..

    He appreciated the National Assembly for the huge support that had made possible the turnaround of NDLEA from a dormant agency to a vibrant government organ.

    He equally acknowledged the unprecedented collaboration with the agency’s partners, which he said had made the work easier.

    “We have concrete results to show for our efforts, and those results cannot be washed away by anyone’s careless remarks,” he said.

    (NAN) 

  • NDLEA winning anti-drug war, says Marwa

    NDLEA winning anti-drug war, says Marwa

    The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) yesterday said the war against narcotics and other illicit drugs was being won.

    Specifically, Marwa said the agency’s maritime command had continued to record an upward spiral in arrests and seizure of illicit drugs.

    He stated this at the inauguration of the NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters in Lagos, a facility built and donated by the British Government.

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    According to the NDLEA chairman, the collaboration of the agency’s Marine Command with other maritime law enforcement agencies has resulted in the interception of 61,688.79 kg of varying drugs and the arrest of 41 suspects.

    He said: “We did not make a mistake when, in 2022, we upgraded the Marine Unit to a full-fledged command. Our balance sheet of arrests and seizures of drugs within the maritime space has maintained an upward swing.

  • Parents of two little boys shot by NDLEA officials demand N2b compensation

    Parents of two little boys shot by NDLEA officials demand N2b compensation

    …as House committee summons Marwa

    The parents of a two-year-old boy, Ivan Omhonria, who was shot and killed, and his younger brother, Eromonsele, who was shot in the eye by men of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have demanded N2 billion compensation from the Agency.

    The incident was said to have occurred in Delta State last year when the Agency was carrying out a raid and the younger surviving sibling was one year old at the time.

    The father of the children, Fidelis, was aggrieved that they had been abandoned by the Agency since the incident occurred over a year ago.

    He said the health of the surviving son has been deteriorating without adequate treatment.

    This was as he appeared with his wife and son before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions.

    Along with them was their lawyer, Mathew Edaghese.

    The family had petitioned the NDLEA to the House and the first hearing of the matter came up on Wednesday.

    Read Also: NDLEA winning anti-drug war, says Marwa

    The parents also denied that they had an agreement with the NDLEA for a N25 million compensation.

    At the hearing, the lawyer of the NDLEA, Muniat Adeleye, told the committee that they had agreed on the sum and N5 million had been sent to the family as the initial payment.

    She said it was to be paid in five tranches over five months.

    She expressed surprise over the petition saying the Agency did not expect it as the matter had been resolved.

    She said the agreement was entered with both parents on board.

    However, when asked for the agreement by the Committee, Adeleye, who is the Assistant Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, said it had not been signed.

    This was unacceptable by the Committee, who demanded that the NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (rtd) appear before the Committee at its next hearing on the matter.

    The father of the boys denied such agreement, saying the Chairman of the Agency Marwa had sometime after the incident sent him N5 million on a personal note.

    He said the Agency did not take responsibility to recompense the family and that the surviving sibling is under serious threat.

    He said they sought redress from the House to serve justice on the matter.

    He said: “I was shocked to hear how to mention an agreement just now. I’m not a party to any agreement.

    “Yes, actually within the period that this took place, the NDLEA Chairman called me and he told me he’s very sorry for this incident that happened on the 13th of July 2023 and that he’s not in the country. But on his commitment to me that he’s sending the token to me.

    “He didn’t mention any amount to me. He said he would send me some money to take care of my son. Two weeks later, we left the Eye Foundation in Lagos. Then I received five million in my wife’s account that I sent to him. That’s all. And so where did the agreement for 25 million come in?”

    His lawyer said: “We wrote them, demanded the sum of two billion as compensation. They never bothered to even respond to that demand. They ignored it with so much arrogance. Before this house, we want adequate compensation. A life was lost, cut short. Another destiny is someone’s being damaged because of the eye.

    “He was just one year old when this incident happened. From then until now, they’ve been dealing with that. They are not prepared to do anything to even remedy the physical damage done to this infant boy. It’s like they are playing games and gimmicks to dodge responsibility. We want this house to compel the NDLEA to be responsive and responsible enough as a corporate agency to do what is obtainable on the best international standard practice.”

    Chairman of the Committee, Mike Etaba, said, “I hope you appreciate the gravity of what we are saying. And so long as the house is concerned, Nigerians are interested in this matter. The whole world is watching us.

    The next day this matter is going to be adjourned, and the principal officer, which is your head, has to be on this committee. This matter is too serious for anybody to represent him. We also understand that you are a lawyer, and you have a right to represent your organization. But the point we find ourselves, and the kind of life-threatening events that we find ourselves in, we want the NDLEA head and boss to appear in person and explain to Nigerians.

    “Since this incident took place, the steps he has taken to make sure that this family recovers from the trauma. And as we speak, you can see the child with one eye

    Look at that child with one eye, and you are a mother. All of us are fathers. Nobody would be alive to see his or her child with this kind of condition.

    “The monies that have been sent to him were just a help, a token to make sure that he carries on with the little medication he needed to do. So let us not sit here and tell us and tell Nigerians that there was an agreement for NDLEA to pay this family 25 million. Nobody should hear it. It shouldn’t be heard anywhere.”

    The matter was adjourned to October 22, 2024.

  • NDLEA intercepts N22.7b drugs at Lagos, Rivers seaports

    NDLEA intercepts N22.7b drugs at Lagos, Rivers seaports

    • Thailand returnee nabbed with N3.1b heroins

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted the intercepted large consignments of opioids worth N22,740,958,000 at three seaports of Lekki, Apapa and Onne.

    It also arrested a Thailand returnee, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, for importing 13.30 kilogrammes of heroin worth over N3.192billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who made this known yesterday, said their target was transnational drug cartels.

    Babafemi added that Oguejiofor was arrested on October 7, this year while attempting to smuggle out of the airport the illicit drug concealed in six backpacks that were packed into two big suitcases.

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    Babafemi said the 29-year-old graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, had left Thailand on October 3 on Qatar Airways flight and stopped over in Doha where he spent two days before heading to Lagos while his luggage was routed to Accra, Ghana, his original destination.

    In a statement, the spokesman said after arriving in Lagos on October 5, the suspect contacted the airline to reroute his luggage to Nigeria so that he could pick them up as rush bags in a bid to beat security checks.

    The statement indicated, however, that NDLEA officers intercepted him at the point of exit.

    Babafemi said when his two suitcases were searched,  three empty backpacks in each box with a large parcel of heroin sewn to the six backpacks were found.

    The six parcels were subsequently recovered with a gross weight of 13.30kg, Babafemi said.

    In his statement, Oguejiofor claimed he was hired for a fee of $7,000 upon delivery of the parcels. He said he was to deliver two parcels in Lagos and the others in Accra, Ghana.

    The statement reads: “Meanwhile, a total of 32,607,900 pills of tramadol worth over N12,577,000,000 and 1,451,994 bottles of codeine-based syrup with a street value of N10,163,958,000 have been intercepted at the Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa seaport in Lagos and Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state.

    “The combined monetary value of the seized opioids comes to N22,740,958,000.

    The illicit consignments were seized from container watch-listed by NDLEA based on intelligence and processed for 100 per cent joint examination with men of the Nigeria Customs and other security agencies at the three seaports between Monday 7th and Friday 11th October 2024.

     “In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Anambra on Saturday, October 12 arrested a suspect, Okelue Chidera, 29, with 50,000 tablets of tramadol 200mg at Upper Iweka, Onitsha. Also, in Edo State, operatives raided a  cannabis transit and loading point at Aviose, Owan West LGA  where 70 bags of the psychoactive substance weighing 1,050kg were recovered, while a suspect Monday Akele, 38, was arrested on Friday 11th October in another raid at Owan Village, Ovia North East L GA where 110kg of same substance was seized.’’

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) commended the agency’s operatives for a job well done.

  • Jeje Riders, NDLEA flag off national students anti-drug abuse campaign

    Jeje Riders, NDLEA flag off national students anti-drug abuse campaign

    Power bike riders under the auspicies of Jeje Riders Nigeria have flagged off a national students anti-drug campaign.

    The bikers, in collaboration with Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), kicked off the campaign in Yola at the weekend stressing that drug abuse requires collective preventive approach.

    The Jeje Riders from across the country were joined by representatives of bike riders groups from Cameroon, Ghana, Benin Republic and Cote d’voir at the Capital School Yola where students from schools around the capital city formed the audience for the anti-drug abuse messages presented during the ceremony.

    In a message to the occasion, President and Chairman of Board of Trustees of the Jeje Riders Nigeria, Ibrahim Tizhe, said the association had chosen to extend its humanitarian activities to development of youths by impeessibg it on them to resist drug abuse.

    “We flag off this national campaign here in Yola but the campaign will go round the country to turn the minds of youths away from abuse of drugs,” Tizhe said.

    Read Also: Controversial requirement for women on visa clearance dropped, says NDLEA

    The Executive Chairman of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa who spoke through the commander of the NDLEA in Adamawa State, Agboalu Samson, said the joint nationwide students anti-drug abuse campaign proves the point that NDLEA cannot do all the anti-drug abuse fight alone. 

    To the students, Marwa said: “Drug abuse is not a path to thread. Don’t experiment. It delivers lifelong destruction.”

    Many individual bike readers delivered similar speeches, stressing the points that drugs end dreams and destroy destinies as it takes students from classrooms to where drugs are sold and to a life without purpose.

    Governor Ahmadu Fintiri who was represented on the ocassion by the state Commissionner of Education, Dr Umar Pella, said the state was proud to host the flag-off ceremony of the anti-drug abuse campaign. 

    Highlights of the ocassion include stage performances by commedians, including the famous Sarkin Dariya, all of them passing anti-drub abuse messages.

    Some of the Jeje Riders and students (in the background) during the anti-drug abuse campaign flag-off in YolaYola. 

  • Controversial requirement for women on visa clearance dropped, says NDLEA

    Controversial requirement for women on visa clearance dropped, says NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said a controversial requirement that a woman must present a letter of approval from husband as part of the visa application process has been jettisoned.

    Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Thursday.

    Babafemi said the entire procedure for visa clearance issued by the NDLEA as required by some countries is undergoing review.

    Read Also: Row over NDLEA’s husband approval rule for married women seeking visa clearance

    It reads: “The entire procedure for visa clearance issued by the NDLEA as required by some countries is currently undergoing review and the requirement for a married woman to present a letter of approval from her husband to travel is one of the items that the Agency has since jettisoned as a non-mandatory item on the list. 

    “The inclusion of that item abinitio arose following some ugly developments in some source countries.

    “Members of the public are assured that the item has been deleted from the list of requirements in the ongoing review exercise, which will be made public in the coming days.”