Tag: NDLEA

•Arrests suspect

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Osun Command, said it had confiscated 19 sacks of Indian hemp (Cannabis Sativa), at Ifewara town, in Osun State, following intelligence report.

NDLEA’s state Commandant, Mr Samuel Egbeola, made this known in a statement yesterday.

He said the operatives of the agency confiscated the sacks which contained 272 kilogrammes of Indian hemp on Thursday, at Ifewara town in Atakunmosa East Local Government Area of the state.

He said the operatives of the agency were able to achieve the feat through intelligence gathering.

He added that a suspect was also arrested in connection with the seized drug.

“Intelligence on this seizure was given by good people of the state and we solicit for more of this from them. Investigation has, however, commenced on the seizure.

“We are always ready to achieve our mandate of making the state a drug-free state.” he said.

Egbeola said the agency remained committed to making the state free of illicit drugs and crime.

He re-assured the people of the stat that the agency would not rest on its oars until people involved in illicit drug trafficking were apprehended.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he called on members of the public to cooperate with the agency by always giving useful information that would lead to the arrest of anyone involved in Indian hemp cultivation, sale and distribution.

“We are appealing to the people of the state to always relate information on Cannabis farms, especially plantations to the NDLEA.

“Our office is always open; so people with useful information are always welcome 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 can only be made possible with the support and cooperation of the people.” he said

An Operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was killed and three injured yesterday in Kano.

NDLEA Chairman Col. Mohammad Mustapha Abdullah (retired), who unveiled the development in Kano posited that the unfortunate incident occurred when the patrol team approached a road block.

Although, the chairman said it was not certain whether or not the perpetrators were drug traffickers, insisted the attack would not deterred the agency’s war against drug peddlers in the country.

Narrating the development further, Commander, Kano state command of the NDLEA Alh. Hamza Umar told journalists that the late officer who was shut from behind had the bullets gushed out through his chest had since buried according to Islamic rite at his Zuru in Kebbi state.

Mohammad, who was on emergency visit to Kano command, regretted the loss of the slain officer who he said could have survived the stray bullets if the agency was adequately kitted with bullet proof.

He said the ugly trend has further revealed how NDLEA was poorly funded and acutely lacking of needed logistics.

The NDLEA while consoling the men and officers of the command over the attack wants the operatives to remain resolute on the front line, reminding that their responsibility was a clarion call to the nation and humanity.

According to Mohammad, “ We have lost a senior and gallant office in active service and even though loss of life is certain, this one is sudden and painful but that will not stop us from the fight.

“Although the men were on routine operation but  if they were adequately equipped perhaps they would have won the gun dwell with the unknown gunmen. But again this incident will further enable us to continue our consistent call on the federal government for better funding of the agency.

•Confiscates 2,125.204Kg of drugs

The Gombe State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has arrested 86 suspected persons and confiscated 2,125.204Kg of hard drugs in the state.

The State Commander, Aliyu Adole said 1,293.424 kg of hard drugs were made of Indian hemp while psychotropic substance made up the other 831.78kg.

He spoke in Gombe while commenting on the activities of the agency in the state during the outgoing year.

Adole said this year’s arrests reflected increase in the quantity of drugs and a decrease in the number of persons

He said the impounded cannabis increased because the command was able to burst the syndicate of individual farmers, who plant Indian hemp in the villages bordering other states.

He said the period in review indicated that about 84 percent drugs seized were found with people from 21 to 40 years old as against 80 percent the same age bracket that was arrested last year.

He said 46 of those arrested had been convicted and the other 40 cases were pending while 14 clients (drug addicts) were being treated

The NDLEA Commander said furnishing their rehabilitation centre and the fact that the agency is still housed in a rented property remained their greatest challenge

He appreciated those that have thus far given the agency useful information but observed that people were usually hesitant about providing information because those dealing on drugs buy their ways into the people’s hearts through magnanimous gestures

“Most people are hiding this information because the drug peddlers are philanthropists; they give them money and so they not will release information about them. That is our real challenge; we need information to nab the drug peddlers,” Adole said.