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Tag: NDLEA

  • Drug abuse: NDLEA to raid black spots

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) plans to launch raids on suspected black spots as part of the effort to curb drug abuse and trafficking among youths in the territory.

    The organisation’s spokesman, Mr. Peter Adegbe, said  that under  ”Surprise Raiding Strategy” (SRS),the agency will swoop on traffickers’ black spots and hideouts in the territory such as Zone 4, Bannex, Jabi and other areas’ parts.

    Adegbe spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    He said the command would achieve the goal by ensuring that the demand and supply of both cocaine and cannabis sativa are reduced to the barest minimum.

    “Once people, especially the youths, are well informed about the dangers of drug abuse, the demand will drastically reduce and this will affect the supply,” he said.

    “The command has chosen to tackle the menace of drug abuse and ridding the territory with this new strategy.”

    The spokesman said that the menace of drug abuse had become a global concern as citizens particularly young people in several countries were engaged in the act.

    “It is disheartening that children at tender age already have problem using drugs.

    “There should be deliberate and sustained efforts at educating the younger generation on drug prevention,’’ Adegbe said.

    The spokesman said the command would not relent in its efforts to rid the FCT of hard drugs, adding that several campaigns had been held in this regard.

    He urged Nigerians especially parents and guardians to give listening ears to their children and youths who were the vulnerable groups against drug abuse.

  • NDLEA to curb drug abuse through ‘special raids’ in FCT

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), FCT command says it is poised to curb drug abuse and trafficking among youths in the territory through “Surprise Raiding Strategy” (SRS).

    Mr Peter Adegbe, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command disclosed this in an interview with our reporter on Friday in Abuja.

    He explained that the SRS as the name implies involves surprise raids on the traffickers’ black spots and hideouts in the territory such as Zone 4, Bannex, Jabi and other areas in the outskirts of the FCT.

    According to Adegbe, the strategy is part of the agency’s efforts in tackling drug vendors and traffickers in the territory and environs.

    He said the command would achieve the goal by ensuring that the demand and supply of both cocaine and cannabis sativa are reduced to the barest minimum.

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    “Once people, especially the youths, are well informed about the dangers of drug abuse, the demand will drastically reduce and this will affect the supply.

    “The command has chosen to tackle the menace of drug abuse and ridding the territory with this new strategy,” he said.

    The spokesman said that the menace of drug abuse had become a global concern as citizens particularly young people in several countries were engaged in the act.

    “It is disheartening that children at tender age already have problem using drugs.

    “There should be deliberate and sustained efforts at educating the younger generation on drug prevention,’’ Adegbe said.

    The spokesman said the command would not relent in its efforts to rid the FCT of hard drugs, adding that several campaigns had been held in this regard.

    He urged Nigerians especially parents and guardians to give listening ears to their children and youths who were the vulnerable groups against drug abuse.

    Adegbe also appealed to residents of the FCT to join hands with the NDLEA in ensuring a responsible society void of social vices.

    “The public needs to understand that they should also support the NDLEA in tackling this drug menace,” he said. 

    NAN

  • Two jailed for cocaine trafficking

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday sentenced Okonkwo Chukwuma and Bankole Johnson (alias Rotimi Adekunle) to two-year imprisonment for importing 220 grams of cocaine.

    Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari held that the prosecution proved its case against the duo beyond reasonable doubt.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested the convicts on July 27 last year at the Marina Post Office on Lagos Island, where they went to receive the banned drug.

    Prosecuting counsel, Adekunle Adebanjo, said the offence was punishable under Section 11(a) of the NDLEA Act of 2014.

    The convicts had pleaded not guilty to the charge following which Adebanjo called six witnesses and tendered the banned drug, the convicts’ statements and a laboratory test result.

    Justice Rabiu-Shagari said: “The prosecution has been able to prove its case against the defendants. They are hereby pronounced guilty as charged and hereby convicted.”

     

     

  • Portuguese docked for drug trafficking

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday remanded a Portuguese woman, Felizmina Muchanga, in prison following her arraignment for alleged attempt to export banned substances.

    Justice Mohammed Idris upheld the argument of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) counsel, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, that Muchanga was a flight risk.

    The defendant’s counsel, Mr. K.O. Okara, had prayed for her release on bail pending trial.

    The judge adjourned proceedings till June 1.

    Read Also: Two remanded for allegedly strangling boss

    Muchanga, 32, was arraigned by the NDLEA on a one count charge of attempt to export 4kg of ephedrine.

    Ibrahim alleged that the defendant committed the offence on March 6.

    He said Muchanga was arrested by security operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, with the drug concealed in her luggage as she attempted to board a South Africa Airways flight to Johannesburg.

    Mohammed told the court that ephedrine was a prohibited substance listed on Table 1, Second Schedule of the NDLEA Act.

    The offence, he added, contravened Sections 11(b) of the NDLEA Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    Muchanga pleaded not guilty to the charge.

  • Katsina Govt. lauds FG over ban on codeine

    Katsina State Government has commended the Federal Government for its recent ban on the local production and importation of codeine as a addictive cough syrup.

    Gov. Aminu Masari made the commendation on Thursday in Daura during a one-day zonal roundtable workshop on the phenomenon of drug abuse in the state.

    Masari was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mustapha Inuwa.

    He described drug abuse as one of the illicit practices engaged by the youth which ruined their future and send them to the early graves or subject them to mental retardation.

    “ We need to put all hands on deck to curtail the menace,’’ he said.

    He disclosed that the state government had trained and empowered 1,000 youths on various skills.

    They include: ICT; poultry and fish production; vegetable oil extraction and tailoring, adding, “ we would recruit 5,000 youth as teachers under the newly-introduced S Power programme.

    The governor called on lawmakers, traditional and religious leaders, parents and wealthy individuals, among other stakeholders, to partner with the state government in curtailing drug abuse, stressing that youth are the leaders of tomorrow.

    He described the partnership between the Peace Builders Security Concepts, organisers of the workshop, and the state government in curbing the instances of youth restiveness and drug abuse, as appropriate.

    “The Peace Builders Security Concepts remains a good partner for the initiative,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Codeine ban: NDLEA arrests 17 suspects

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, represented by the Turakin Daura, Alhaji Musa Abdurrahaman, lauded the state government for partnering with the NGO in the fight against drug abuse.

    He described the workshop as timely, and assured of the unconditional support of the traditional and religious leaders in his domain toward the success of the initiative.

    Malam Ibrahim Katsina, the Executive Director of the Peace Builders Security Concepts, called on the youth to shun practices that would destroy their future.

    Katsina also called for the cooperation of the youth and parents in detecting and arresting drug dealers, consumers and the barons.

    He said the NGO was collaborating with the NDLEA and other security agencies in checking drug abuse.

    Zainab Salisu, a participant, said the workshop was timely, as according to her, drug abuse and addiction had generated different diseases in the addicts.

    She said most cases of house burglary, rape and other criminal activities were usually committed under drug influence.

    NAN

  • Codeine ban: NDLEA arrests 17 suspects

    Following FG ban on codeine, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara Command, has arrested 17 suspects in different parts of the State while trying to smuggle the drug to other destinations for sale.

    Our reporter recalls that the Federal Government had banned companies from producing codeine.

    Addressing newsmen on Thursday in Ilorin, the state Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Onah Ogilegwu, said his men arrested 13 suspects with assorted drugs in different locations across the state.

    He said: “13 suspects were arrested at various locations by the Air Force authority in Ilorin and transferred to the command with assorted hard drugs,” he said.

    Ogilegwu stated that the Command on Saturday nabbed another two suspects with 12 cartons of codeine containing 600 bottles of the product.

    “The two suspects were in the taxi trying to travel down north with the drug but my men intercepted their car and while checking they discovered 12 cartons of codeine.

    “They confessed that they are travelling to Kaduna with the drugs to deliver them to a man.

    Read Also: Tackling drug abuse beyond codeine ban

    “They said that they have been involved and making money from the business for a very long time.”

    He added that on Tuesday another two suspects were arrested along Tanke area, Ilorin, by personnel of the agency.

    “Surveillance was placed in the area following a tip off. Men of the command swung into action and the two suspects arrested are presently undergoing investigation,” he explained.

    Ogilegwu charged all drug sellers and producers to abide by directives to submit banned substances in order to receive commendation from the command,” adding that failure to do so will lead to arrest of culprits.

    He added that other assorted drugs like Tramadol should be placed on poison box by the pharmacists and should be sold strictly on medical doctor’s recommendation.

    “Any other vendor found selling drugs aside licensed pharmacists will face the wrath of the law when arrested,” he warned.

    He also urged the Federal Government to fast track a bill to ban production, sales and distribution of the drugs.

    NAN

  • Man bags 10 months imprisonment for peddling narcotics

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced a 26-year-old man, Friday Okafor, to 10 months in prison for peddling narcotics.

    The convict was charged by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari on one-count charge of drug trafficking which he pleaded guilty to.

    After his plea, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, reviewed the facts in the case and tendered
    in evidence, written statement of the convict, the bulk of drug exhibit, a request for scientific aid form, a drug analysis form, as well as remnant of the restricted substance.

    The court admitted the evidences as exhibits.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Shagari found the defendant guilty as charged, convicted and sentenced him to 10 months in prison.

    In the charge, the prosecution told the court that the convict committed the offence on Jan. 17.

    The prosecutor said the convict was arrested at the Mile 2 Motor Park in Lagos with the restricted narcotics measuring about 150g.

    He said that the offences contravened the provisions of section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    Before the sentence, Okafor pleaded with the court to show mercy and give him another chance to become a better person.

  • Assets declaration: CCT convicts 16 defaulters in Bauchi

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal ( CCT ) in Bauchi has convicted 16 civil servants and political office holders found guilty of non-declaration of assests.

    Mallam Ibrahim Alhassan, the Head of Press and Public Relations of the CCT disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen on Thursday in Bauch

    He said the convicted persons failed to submit a written declaration of all their assets and liabilities within the prescribed period of three months that violated various provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

    Alhassan said that the action was contrary to paragraph 11( 1 ) of the Fifth Schedules, Part One of the Constitution, punishable under Paragraph 18( 2 ) of the Fifth Schedule.

    He said out there was a total of 55 defaulters out of which 16 persons were convicted.

    “The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar gave a fine of N5, 000 to N30,000  fine to the convicted defaulters and  ordered that the fine be paid within 30 days.

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    “Failure to remit the fines within the stipulated 30 days will cause the convicts to vacate their positions as state government staff or political office holder.

    ‎”At the instance of the prosecution the tribunal withdrew charges against 12 persons that appeared before the tribunal while 10 defaulters were absent in the tribunal.

    “Therefore, 27 cases were adjourned to Abuja on different dates.

    “Some of the defaulters were cautioned and given second chance due to the factors surrounding their inability to declare their assets,” he said

    The newsmen reports that of the 55 defaulters, 18 are political appointees,10 police officers, four NDLEA personnel, one Customs officer and 22 career civil servants working with the Local, State and Federal Governments.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 45 in Edo, 89 in Bayelsa

    The Edo Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended 45 suspects for drug trafficking in the first quarter, it was learnt.

    NDLEA’s Edo Commandant Buba Wakawa told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin yesterday the agency seized 13,542kg suspected illicit drugs.

    He said the suspects, included 36 men and nine women.

    Wakawa said the agency secured seven convictions at the Federal High Court, Benin.

    He said the drugs included 13,518kg of suspected cannabis sativa, 0.019g of suspected cocaine and 0.01kg of suspected heroin.

    Wakawa added that the agency destroyed suspected psychotropic substances weighing about 24.2kg, noting that the agency also discovered 12 suspected cannabis farms, measuring 7.4 hectares.

    The commandant said two  farms were found at Okumo Oil Extension II in Uhumonwode council, and the others at Emun Forest in Orhiomwon.

    The Bayelsa command arrested 89 suspects for drug trafficking, narcotics abuse and other drug-related activities.

    Spokesman Ikenna Osakwe said yesterday the agency recorded seizure of 73.779 kilogrammes of illicit drugs.

    He said the arrests and seizures were recorded in the first quarter.

    Osakwe said 68 men and 21 women were nabbed.

    NDLEA in Oyo State said it seized 3,891.875 kg of suspected hard drugs and secured 15 convictions in the first quarter.

    The Commander, Mrs. Omolade Faboyede, said yesterday in Ibadan the drugs included Indian hemp and psychotropic substances.

    She said six drug addicts were undergoing rehabilitation.

  • 25 held as NDLEA seizes 122kg of drugs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 25 suspects and seized 122.78kg of banned drugs in Gombe State since January.

    Commandant Aliyu Adole told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Gombe that the agency convicted 20 of the suspects and sentenced them to prison terms.

    Five are in custody.

    He said: “Within this period, we removed 122.78kg drugs from circulation.

    “Last month, we recovered 92.39kg compared to February when we had 543g.”

    Adole urged stakeholders to join in the fight against drug abuse.

    He said parents and guardians should advise their children and wards to desist from forming gangs and joining thugs, which, he noted, encouraged drug abuse.

    “I advise you to talk to your children. If you do not talk to them, somebody outside the family will talk to them and it will be dangerous.

    “Politicians have their children in higher institutions of learning; if you allow your children to follow bad politicians, you will be the loser,” the commandant said.