The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDLEA

  • I’ll tame crime by checkmating drug abuse -Sen Nyako

    Sen Abdulaziz Nyako, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State,
    has said he would tame crime through checkmating drug abuse if he becomes the next governor of the state.

    He made the commitment in Dumne, a rural community in Song LGA, when he paid a campaign visit there, stressing that crime would be reduced to near nill across the state if youths are taken off drugs.

    Drug abuse is a major challenge in Adamawa State and Nyako’s remark called to mind a recent assertion by the state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that most crimes are committed under the influence of drugs.

    Sen Abdulazeez Nyako, reiterating his commitment towards ensuring eradication of drug abuse in the state, said it would be achieved through concerted efforts and he would enthusiastically lead and power the efforts.

    “We must checkmate drug abuse for our society to prosper. We should be in the vanguard in eliminating drug addiction which increases crime in the society,” he said.

    Read Also: I have no plan to dethrone Lamido of Adamawa, if elected Governor- Nyako

    At another campaign venue, in Wurude, also in Song LGA, Abdulaziz Nyako pledged a rice milling factory along the banks of a massive body of water called River Kilange.

    He said the rice mill would help the local farmers as it would facilitate dry season irrigation and benefit the people because it would ensure food sufficiency.

    He said the project’s blueprint was conceived by his father, former Gov. Murtala Nyako, and would be implemented next year by the ADC government if voted into power.

    He said the rice mill would complement food security, which he said is his priority plan.

  • Court to hear Kashamu extradition case March 8

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday adjourned hearing in a suit by Sen. Buruji Kashamu, seeking to stop his extradition to the U.S. to face drug charges until March 8.

    Kashamu, who is the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, had in his suit no: FHC/L/CS/930/2018, joined the following as respondents:

    The Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Director General, Department of Security Service (DSS), National Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    He is urging the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting or detaining him, in any manner whatsoever, or interfering with his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

    When the case was called on Tuesday, counsel representing parties informed the court of their readiness to proceed with the hearing, as the notices had been duly served as ordered by the court.

    However, it was discovered that a hearing notice was not served on the AGF, a situation the court described as an error.

    Consequently, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on the AGF before the next adjourned date.

    He fixed March 8, for hearing on the applicant’s suit, as well as NDLEA’s preliminary objection in opposition to same.

    In a supporting affidavit, the applicant averred that in a newspaper publication, the AGF was reported to have said that the U.S. Government had been told to make fresh request for his extradition, after the former proceedings were dismissed.

    He averred however, that in a proceeding instituted in England by the U.S. authorities between 2002 and 2003, it was established that he was not the one implicated in the alleged narcotic offence committed in America in 1994.

    He said that consequently, he was not the person being sought after by the U.S. authorities.

    Meanwhile in a preliminary objection, deposed to by one Kareem Olayinka, the NDLEA averred that authorities of the U.S. were currently seeking to extradite the applicant to their country to answer charges relating to Heroin trafficking.

    Olayinka said that the U.S. Government then made a request to the Nigerian Government for the applicant to be extradited sometime in May 2015.

    The Agency said that since Kashamu got wind of the extradition request, he had filed multiple law suits relating to the issue.

    He said that in all these actions, the central and basic relief sought was a restraining order against the NDLEA, from arresting and extraditing him to the U.S.

    According to the NDLEA, this suit does not disclose any cause of action against the respondent.

    The agency said the multiple law suits by the applicant against the NDLEA were intended to divert its energy and attention from discharging its mandate.

    He said that the NDLEA needed the protection of the court to stop this trend, as the applicant was only engaged in shopping for a forum that would grant his desired reliefs.

    Olayinka said the NDLEA was therefore, asking the court to dismiss the suit.

  • NDLEA nabs suspect with 77 wraps of cocaine

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday, said it had arrested a suspected drug trafficker, who tried to smuggle 77 wraps of cocaine, weighing one kilogramme out of the country.

    Head of Public Affairs of the agency, Mr Jonah Achema, stated this in a statement in Abuja.

    Achema said that the 50-year-old suspect had ingested the wraps of cocaine but was nabbed at Kano International Airport during the outward screening of passengers of Tarco Airline, bound for Khartoum, Sudan.

    He said that the suspect, Adam Abubakar-Muhammed, who hails from Maiduguri, Borno, “basking in the validity of his `charms’ had boasted to persons close to him that no amount of screening by NDLEA will reveal him with any substance’’.

    Read Also: NDLEA nabs 20 drug dealers in Anambra

    Achema said that Muhammed had initially tested negative when he was X-rayed, “only for him to start excreting the illicit substance when he was kept under observation based on reliable intelligence’’.

    He said that the suspect was only fluent in Kanuri language and had confessed that he accepted the offer of N800, 000 to carry the drugs to enable him revive his hyde and skin business.

    NAN

     

  • NDLEA arrests 20 drug suspects

    •PVCs recovered

    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 Voter Cards (PVCs).

    The agency said the arrests were made within five months when it embarked on pre-election raid.

    A statement by Commander Mohammed Sokoto, made available to our correspondent in Uyo, said some of the suspects were nabbed with 51kg of cannabis, 250 grammes of heroin, 17 grammes of cocaine, 500 grammes of tramadol diazepam and polypro.

    He said a suspect, Prince Bassey, who was apprehended with 244 PVCs, had been handed over to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for further investigation.

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

    “A suspect, Prince Okon Bassey, was arrested on January 25 in Mbo Local Government with 244 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) bearing different identities.

    “Miss Joy Monday Adams, a notorious hard drugs dealer, was arrested with 239 grammes of heroin. She has been arraigned and is being remanded in person custody awaiting trial this week,” the statement said.

     

  • NDLEA nabs 20 drug dealers in Anambra

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 20 suspected illicit drug dealers in Anambra State, Commandant Sule Momodu has said.

    He told reporters yesterday in Awka that the arrest followed intensive raid of black spots across the state by officers and men of the agency ahead of the 2019 general election.

    Momodu said the raid became imperative due to revelations that some politicians usually induced thugs with illicit drugs to engage in violence during the polls.

    He warned politicians to shun acts capable of promoting violence during the coming elections.

    Read also: Suspected Abule-Egba pipeline vandals arrested

    The commandant said raids on black spots would continue until all the drug dealers and users were apprehended.

    He said the agency was determined to ensure effective security arrangements before, during and after the elections.

    Momodu said the suspects caught in the raids would be arraigned.

    “Investigations and other details will be made public on the quantity of drugs recovered,” he added.

  • Odu’a, NDLEA join forces against drug abuse

    Members of the Management and staff of Odu’a Investments Limited joined the crusade against drug abuse in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Saturday.

    Led by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), Mr Adewale Raji, members of staff of the conglomerate undertook a group walk for one hour to lend their voice and support for the anti-drug abuse campaign in the country.

    Joined by members of staff of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and some others whose offices are located in the Cocoa House headquarters of the company, the anti-drug abuse crusaders walked from Dugbe Central Business District to Mokola Roundabout to increase the awareness against the menace.

    The group sang and danced as they trudged through the ever-busy Queen Cinema, Ekotedo, Dugbe roads to campaign against the societal ill.

    After the one-hour walk, which also served to raise awareness about the importance of physical exercise, the GMD told reporters that the crusade was an aspect of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He said the company was not only in business to lead in the economic development of the region but to also support the entire well-being of the people as a responsible corporate organisation.

    He said: “From the point of view of Odu’a Group, I think fundamentally we cannot ignore the environment in which we live.

    “So, things that affect the youth which essentially are our hope for the future, the issue of drug abuse has become a very prevalent thing and we do know that a lot of destinies have been cut short because of the indulgence and peer influence relating to drug abuse. We heard recently in the news where the Customs Service was talking about seizure of huge containers of tramadol and you start wondering whether this is good.

    “Suddenly under the current economic climate, we found out our youths are turning to drugs. So, the Odua conglomerate considered it necessary to participate in sensitising the public, the youth and old and parents alike. It is good to sensitise them to curb the menace of drug abuse among the youth.

    “In addition to that, we also believe in the element of promoting what we call good and healthy lifestyle to make sure we can live a very healthy life. Today, there are a lot of common diseases that we know about and we do know that apart from good, healthy eating, it is important that one exercises the body and lives a very healthy lifestyle.

    “So, we do believe that apart from creating awareness relating to the menace of drug abuse among the generality of the public, we also believe that it should be an opportunity for us to promote the element of good lifestyle in the society and making sure we are fit and we can really have a very enduring life.”

    Apart from the crusade, Raji said the company supports education of students from the region through scholarship and other instruments, adding that it also supports non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working with youths and sports, among others.

    According to him, the walk might become an annual event.

    The Public Relations Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Oyo State, Mrs Mutiat Okuwobi, who also joined in the walk, described it as a laudable project that further accentuated the work of the agency against the use of illicit drugs in the Nigerian society.

    A former Director of Public Affairs of the company, Oloye Lekan Alabi, commended the company for the initiative. He described it as an innovation in the 43-year history of the conglomerate.

    “Apart from fulfilling corporate social responsibility, Odua Investments Limited  is leading the way for other corporate bodies, institutions and individuals to join the fight against drug abuse because drug abuse has not only become a menace, it is also destroyer of lives of potential great men and women.” Alabi said.

     

  • Sisters caught smuggling Indian hemp, tramadol into Prison

    Officers of Kuje Medium Security Prison in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arrested a female visitor to the prison for attempting to smuggle substances suspected to be cannabis and tramadol into the prison yard.

    One miss Blessing Chinwuba concealed the prohibited items in a carton of neatly packed indomie wraps.

    According to a statement issued by the FCT Prison Command Public Relations Officer, Chukwuedo Humphrey, She was arrested by prison officers at the gate lodge before she could pass the items to one Mr. John Ifeanyichukwu, who is a prisoner in the prison facility.

    On investigation, she claimed that the consignment was given to her by one Miss Victoria Chinwuba, her younger sister, to deliver, claiming ignorance of the contents.

    Read Also: Activist laments rising number of women in prisons

    Humphrey said although the statement was corroborated by Victoria, the younger sister Chinwuba, equally claimed ignorant of the contents of the carton as she was merely asked to collect the item from a courier service provider.

    The two suspects have been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    The Controller of Prisons, FCT Command, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche while commending the staff for a job well done, warned that stiffer punishment awaits anyone caught compromising security in and around the prison.

  • NDLEA arrests 339 suspected drug lords

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested 339 suspected drug traffickers last year.

    It said it recovered 45,743.19kg of drugs, mainly Cannabis Sativa popularly called Indian hemp.

    NDLEA Edo State Commander Buba Wakawa, who spoke at a news briefing, said the command secured conviction of 38 suspects.

    He said the command counselled and rehabilitated 263 persons with drug-related problems.

    Read also: NURTW chief MC Oluomo is alive, says aide

    Wakawa said: “NDLEA has assisted in reducing crime in the state with the arrest of 339 suspected drug dealers, with a seizure of 45,743.19kg of narcotics.

    “Drug trafficking and use serve as a catalyst to most criminal activities, therefore, requiring the efforts of the government at all levels and other partners in ensuring a safe and healthy society.

    “The war on drugs must be taken seriously to address the challenges of robbery, kidnapping, ritual killing and cultism.”

     

  • NDLEA nabs 23 suspected cocaine pushers

    THE Commandant, Kano State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdul, said yesterday that 23 suspected cocaine pushers were arrested in the state in the last one month.

    He was briefing reporters on his achievement as the new NDLEA boss.

    Abdul, who resumed duty last month, said 20 of the suspects, who were arrested in Sabon Gari, are not Kano indigenes, adding that they are from the South.

    He said the arrest was part of the command’s efforts to end drug abuse.

    Abdul said a suspect, Ikenna Daniel, was nabbed with over eight cartons of fake Augmentin weighing 115 kilogrammes and Articimet of about 136 kilogrammes.

    Read also: Man sues NDLEA for son’s death

    He said 86 suspects were apprehended by the command within the last one month with illicit drugs weighing 1.4 tons.

    The commandant said: “We are making arrangements to arraign the suspects.”

    He said NDLEA had intercepted 17.1 grammes of Cocaine, 761.5 kilograms of Cannabis, 20 grams of Heroin, 182.3 kilograms of Tramadol, 75.2 kilograms of Codeine, while 12.5 kilograms of D5 was also impounded.

    Abdul added that the command seized 10.4 kilograms of Pentazocine.

     

  • NDLEA arrest 23 suspected hard drug pushers

    THE Commandant, Kano State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdul on Tuesday said that 23 suspected Cocaine pushers were arrested in the state within the last one month.

    The Commandant stated this while briefing Newsmen on his achievement as the new NDLEA boss in the state.

    Abdul, who resume as the commandant in December 2018 said 20 of the suspects who were arrested in Sabon Gari are not Kano indigens, but from the southern part of the country.

    Abdul maintained that the arrest of the suspected Cocaine pushers was part of the command’s efforts towards ending the drug abuse in Kano.

    According to him, the suspects, Ikenna Daniel was arrested with over eight cartons of fake Augmentin weighing 115 kilograms and Articimet of about 136 kilograms.

    Read Also: Buhari calls for respect for democracy in Gabon

    Abdul noted that 86 suspects were arrested by the command within the last one month, with different types of illicit drugs weighing 1.4 tons.

    He explained that the command is making all necessary arrangements to arraign all the suspects to court.

    The commandant explained that NDLEA had also intercepted 17.1 grams of Cocaine, Cannabis 761.5 kilograms, Heroin 20 grams, tramadol 182.3 kilograms, Codeine 75.2 kilograms while 12.5kilograms of D5 was as well impounded.

    He added that the command had also intercepted 10.4 kilograms of Pentazocine and also 314 grams, adding that, they have as well confiscated the total of 1,042.516 kilograms which is over one ton of the illicit drugs.