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Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA secures conviction of 10 drug dealers

    NDLEA secures conviction of 10 drug dealers

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), Cross River Command, said on Monday that it secured the conviction of 10 drug dealers in the state between October and November.

    The agency’s Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Kenneth Odili, made the disclosure in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar.

    Odili said that the convicts were handed down various jail terms by the Federal High Court in Calabar.

    According to him, one of the dealers convicted was Mr Chinedu Ogbuegbe who bagged three years imprisonment for unlawful possession of cannabis sativa (Indian) hemp.

    He said the convict spiced meat-pie and dough-nut with the substance and then sold to the public.

    “NDLEA also arrested Mr David James for being in possession of cocaine and heroin and he was sentenced to four years imprisonment.

    Read also: NDLEA arrests 119 drug traffickers

    “Other convicts and their jail terms were: Oliver Ival, one year; Aniekan Sunday, three years; Ernest Neji, two years; Edem Ene, two years; and Morris Udo, 18 months.

    “Also, one Yahaya Bello was sentenced to three years while Mr Sunday Ugah got one year and six months imprisonment,”  he said.

    The command assured the people of the agency’s commitment to riding the state of illicit drugs and advised prospective drug dealers to turn a new leaf.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 617 suspects, recover drugs in Jigawa

    NDLEA arrests 617 suspects, recover drugs in Jigawa

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) command in Jigawa says it arrested over 617 suspects and recovered 3.5 tonnes of assorted narcotics between January and December 13 in the state.

    The NDLEA Commander in the state, Josephine Obi, made this known at a news conference in Dutse on Monday.

    Obi said that out of the 617 arrested suspects, the command had secured conviction of 106 to various jail terms ranging from six to 36 months imprisoment.

    He added that 450 of the suspects had been counseled by the command within the period under review.

    The commandant pointed out that 70 per cent of the seized drugs was psychotropic substances.

    He added that “the jigawa command of the NDLEA from January to December 13, despite challenges faced, has achieved a lot in its drug war viz-a-viz arrest and seizure, prosecution and counselling.

    “The command arrested over 617 suspects within the period under review, while a total seizure quantity of of 3.5 tonnes of various types of illicit drugs was made.

    “The command also convicted 106 drug suspects to various jail terms, while 450 of suspects were counseled.”

    Read Also: NDLEA arrest 250 suspects, seize drugs in Delta

    According to her, the agency conducted Drug Education activities in the state aimed at educating students and individuals of the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.

    Obi noted that the command was able to reach more than 40,000 people through various public enlightenments it carried out in schools, markets and places of public interest.

    “We also conducted about 11 programmes to educate people on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.

    “The programmes were aimed at creating awareness and counseling drug users as well as enhancing activities of relevant stakeholders’ involvement in fighting drug menace.

    “Drug-Free Clubs were also established in various schools within the state,” Obi explained.

    She, therefore, urged the public to always give the command credible information that would assist it in tackling the menace of abuse of illicit drugs.

    “The abuse of psychotropic substance and cough syrup had been a worrisome development which the command had been battling to address.

    “All hands must be on deck to tackle the menace.”

  • Three policemen dismissed for drug trafficking in Kogi

    Three policemen dismissed for drug trafficking in Kogi

    Kogi State Police Command has dismissed three police officers over their alleged involvement in the trafficking of 30 bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, William Aya, who confirmed this on Wednesday in Lokoja, said the officers were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution

    According to him, the officers were dismissed after they were found guilty by a board room trial conducted by the police.

    He said their dismissal followed due process, adding that the NDLEA would handle their prosecution.

    The NDLEA had on November 7 arrested a mobile policeman for escorting a vehicle carrying 30 sacks of Indian hemp out of Lokoja.

    The drug was conveyed in a Toyota Picnic car with registration number Kogi KNA 185 LG when it was intercepted by NDLEA operatives.

    The policeman who escorted the vehicle was arrested along with two other accomplices as well as the driver of the vehicle.

    NAN

    Read Also: Kogi: Support realisation of Yagba East for Senate – APC aspirant

     

  • Man jailed three months for drug peddling

    Man jailed three months for drug peddling

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced a 32-year-old man, Shola Adewuyi, to three months imprisonment for dealing in 33.3g of hemp.

    The convict faced a charge of dealing in restricted narcotics, brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA )

    Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo sentenced Adewuyi after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

    Oguntoyinbo held that the accused was guilty as charged.

    “You are hereby sentenced to three months imprisonment, beginning from the date of your arrest,’’she said.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 22 at Coker Estate, Shasha Egbeda, Lagos.

    He said the accused was caught with about 33.3 g of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as hemp.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    In his review of the facts of the case, Aernan tendered in evidence a written statement of the accused, the hemp, a request for scientific aid form and a drug analysis form as exhibits.

    The court, accordingly, admitted and marked them as exhibits.

    Before his sentence, the accused had begged the court to temper justice with mercy, promising that he would never commit such crime again if pardoned.

    NAN

  • Unemployed man jailed two years for drug trafficking

    Unemployed man jailed two years for drug trafficking

    A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday  sentenced a 30- year-old man, Abubakar Nasir, to  two years imprisonment for drug trafficking.

    The unemployed convict who was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a count charge of dealing in narcotics, had pleaded guilty.

    He begged the court to temper justice with mercy and give him another chance and promised to be a better person in life, if given the opportunity.

    In her judgment, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, found the defendant guilty as charged and accordingly convicted him.

    Read Also: Ex-convict gets 3-year sentence for drug possession

    She, consequently, sentenced him to two years imprisonment, beginning from the date of his arrest.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Jeremiah Aernan, had told the court that the convict committed the offence on Sept. 20.

    Aernan said that the man was arrested at the Yadoya Market in Mile 12 Lagos.

    He said that about 300 grammes of cannabis sativa known as Indian hemp was recovered from the convict and he was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

    He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act Cap. 30 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

  • NDLEA intercepts 200kg of suspected cannabis

    NDLEA intercepts 200kg of suspected cannabis

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State has intercepted a shipment of dried weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa at Ehor, the Commander, Mr. Buba Wakawa, said yesterday in Benin City.

    He said the substance was packed in 20 bags weighing about 200 kilogrammes and concealed in a false compartment.

    Wakawa said the stuff was lined in the inner wall of a dark blue Volkswagen bus, registered as ACA 711 XT.

    He said the driver of the bus had been arrested.

    The commander said preliminary investigation showed that the drugs were being conveyed from Iruekpen in Edo State to Uko-Orji in Imo State.

    He said the driver was assisting the command in its investigation.

    Wakawa said the suspect was married and had four children, adding that he hailed from Ndokwa East Local Government of Delta State.

    He quoted the suspect as saying that he had been driving for 15 years, but recently began to smuggle cannabis because of unemployment.

    “I have been driving for the last 15 years. However, in the last two years, I have been out of job.

    “It was while I was looking for money for my family that l agreed to smuggle cannabis.

    “Shortly after l took off; my bus was stopped at Ehor by NDLEA officers. The drug was well hidden, but l was surprised when the officers detected it in a false compartment,” the suspect said.

  • NDLEA arrests 119 drug traffickers

    NDLEA arrests 119 drug traffickers

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Katsina State arrested 119 suspects for drug-related offences between September 15 and November 14, the Commander, Hajiya Maryam Sani, has said.

    Sani, who briefed reporters in Katsina, said the suspects included 104 men, four women and 11 students.

    She said the command seized 53.5kg of cannabis sativa and 48.1gm of psychotropic substances, which include diazepam, exol and tramadol.

    “We also seized 49.7 litres of cough syrups with codeine, which translate to 497 bottles,’’ the commander said.

    She noted that the total seizures stood at 101 kg.

    Sani said the command was counselling 90 suspects on drug addiction at its counselling and rehabilitation centre.

    “NDLEA will do its best in the fight against drug abuse and peddling in Katsina State,’’ she said.

    Sani urged traditional and religious leaders to assist the agency in the fight against drug abuse.

  • PMB, save NDLEA from decadence

    PMB, save NDLEA from decadence

    Sir: We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently probe the chairman/chief executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retired) to save the country from the tragic woes of irredeemable drug abuse and trafficking. Abdallah who retired from the Nigerian army has left no one in doubt that he lacks the strategic foresight to lead the agency.

    Under Abdallah, over 60 officers have died in a short space of two years out of frustration and extreme despair. NDLEA has witnessed a high rate of voluntary retirement by officers under Abdallah’s dictatorship. Officers are deeply frustrated with his leadership; over lack of promotion, poor welfare package, and horrible working conditions. In spite of a large number of officers who have died in the past two years, Abdallah did not see the justification for a life insurance scheme to cushion the hardship of officers and their family members.

    That three officers – Onwumere Nicholas, Peter Ebun and Abdulrahman Musa were recently shot dead in Kogi State on October 13, by gunmen who made away with their rifles reflects the hazardous and pathetic condition under which an NDLEA officers operate.

    The greatest disservice to any workforce is lack of promotion. NDLEA today is a house of indiscipline as irregular and questionable promotions have made junior officers senior to their superiors. Most officers have stagnated in one rank for over 10 years without any justifiable reason. Officers that were due for promotion in 2009 were made to write promotion examination in 2013 and the promotion released in 2014. He was quoted as saying that promotion is not a right but a privilege and that promotion is not on his agenda.

    Officers who have been cheated by his callous policies have become helpless especially those with a few years more in service. As they remain stagnated in one rank, their salaries, standard of living and pension contribution all have remain stunted over the years.

    In the history of the NDLEA, drug barons have not had a better time than now. In fact, they are having a field day producing and selling drugs to the detriment of the country. Abdallah has not taken steps to checkmate the activities of drug barons. This nonchalant attitude towards bringing drug barons to book is affecting the cordial working relationship between the agency and international collaborators like the United States government, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Unlike in the past, these collaborators were conspicuously missing at the 2017 World Drug Day commemoration in Abuja. Under Abdallah, statistics of arrests and seizures have drastically gone down due to his lukewarm posture towards the drug war. There is serious pressure already as NDLEA facilities across the country cannot accommodate the large number of drug-dependent persons seeking rehabilitation.

     

    • Musa Ahmed Yusuf,

    For Concerned NDLEA Officers,

    Lagos.

  • NDLEA arrests 119 drug traffickers in Katsina

    NDLEA arrests 119 drug traffickers in Katsina

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) in Katsina State, said on Wednesday that it had arrested 119 suspects for drug related offences between Sept. 15 and Nov. 14.

    Hajiya Maryam Sani, the NDLEA Commander in the state, who made this disclosure while briefing newsmen in Katsina, said the suspects included 104 males, four females and 11 students of higher institutions in the state.

    Read: Court remands man caught with Indian hemp

    She said the command seized 53.5kg of cannabis sativa and 48.1gm of psychotropic substances that included diazepam, exol and tramadol.

    “We also seized 49.7 litres of cough syrups with codeine, which translate to 497 bottles,’’ she said.

    The commander disclosed that the total seizures stood at 101 kg of the illegal substances.

    She said that the command was counselling 90 suspects on drug addiction in its counselling and rehabilitation centre.

    ‘’The NDLEA will continue to do its best in the fight against drug abuse and peddling in Katsina State,’’ she said.

    Sani called on traditional and religious leaders to continue to assist the agency in the ongoing fight against drug abuse in the state.

    NAN

  • 62-year-old jailed five years over possession of hard drugs

    62-year-old jailed five years over possession of hard drugs

    A Federal High Court sitting in Jos on Wednesday sentenced a 62-year-old man,  Hycinth Njoku, to five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of hard drugs.

    Njoku was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to the crime and begged for leniency.

    Mrs. Ramatu Oketola, prosecution counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), had told the court that Njoku, a resident of New Layout Quarters in Bokkos, Plateau State, was arrested on July 27, by NDLEA officials.

    Oketola told the court that the suspect was being tried on a one-count charge of unlawful possession of hard drugs.

    She tendered 65g of Cannabis and 29.7g of Tramadol, both similar to cocaine and other narcotic, as exhibits.

    “My lord, the suspect’s offence contravened Section 19 of NDLEA Act, Cap. N30 Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 ( as amended ),” she stated.

    Oketola further told the court that the suspect was a second offender, having been jailed by a law court some years back. Njoku promptly confirmed the lawyer’s claim.

    Justice Dorcas Agishi, in her judgement, sentenced Njoku to five years imprisonment without an option of fine.

    “For being a second offender, I hereby sentence you to five years imprisonment without an option of fine, to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “The law will take its course considering your age and your resolve to be a notorious drug dealer, ’’ the judge said.

    Justice Agishi ordered that the hard drugs tendered as exhibits be burnt by the NDLEA within 30 days after the judgment.