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Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA destroys drugs worth N10b in Kano

    NDLEA destroys drugs worth N10b in Kano

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State yesterday destroyed about 54,244,639kg of assorted narcotic drugs, worth over N10 billion.

    At a brief ceremony witnessed by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, the state NDLEA chairman, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (rtd), lamented the number of youths and women engaged in drug abuse and trafficking.

    He urged the Federal Government to take action to redeem their future.

    He said: “The tonnage of seized drugs is an indication of good performance by NDLEA. For 54.244 metric tons of drugs to be intercepted from a particular state, it speaks of the extent and prevalence of these deadly substances in the state.”

    State Commander Hamza Umar described the seizure as collective efforts of the NDLEA (state command) and the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) command.

    He said: “This would not have been possible without the support of Governor Ganduje, who made the environment conducive for work.”

    He appealed to Ganduje to establish a rehabilitation centre to help discourage youths against the dangers of drug abuse.

    Governor Ganduje, who promised continuous support to NDLEA, thanked the people, particularly the Kano Concerned Citizens, for their effort in curbing drug abuse, especially among the youths.

    Apart from donating operational vehicles to NDLEA, his administration has continued to support the agency financially and otherwise, including the creation of a Special Taskforce.

  • Man jailed for smuggling marijuana to brother in kirikiri prison

    Man jailed for smuggling marijuana to brother in kirikiri prison

    A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, sentenced 24 year-old-man, Patrick Amadi to two years in prison for smuggling marijuana into kirikiri prison.

    Amadi was charged by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on one count of drug trafficking.

    Justice Ayotunde Faji sentenced Amadi after he pleaded guilty and begged the court to temper justice with mercy and promised not to engage in crime again.

    Justice Faji said the prison term should begin from the date of his arrest and admonished him to use the jail period to turn a new leaf and become a better person.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, told the court that the accused was arrested on June 18 at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos with 200 grammes of the narcotics.

    Aernan said Amadi was caught with the substance in his sandals, which he planned to hand over to his brother, whom he went to visit.

    The prosecutor said officials who arrested Amadi said he hid the weed in the sandals he wore when he visited his brother who was serving jail term in kirikiri.

    The offence contravened the provisions of Section 11(c) of NDLEA Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation 2004, he added.

  • NDLEA faults police’ drug war

    NDLEA faults police’ drug war

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday faulted the daily raids of drug den by the Lagos Police Comman, noting that it was not targeted at the drug barons.

    NDLEA’s Commandant in Lagos, Sulyman Aliyu stated this during a visit to acting Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal, where both agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for better collaboration.

    According to Aliyu, raiding the small dealers and drug users was not the solution to drug misuse/abuse by teenagers and youths since the vice was on the rise.

    He also faulted the handling of exhibits recovered from the field by policemen, noting that they are most times compromised and invalidated in the prosecution of suspects.

    Aliyu said: “We have talked about the grey area. There are some mistakes here and there. If you don’t come closer to the NDLEA, you may not know the kind of operations we do. Let me say it clear that for the six years I have been in Lagos, there was no year we did not seize up to 10 tons of drugs. There is no year we did not prosecute 300 suspects of the about 700 arrested.

    “If you are arresting people and the trend of drug is not going down, then you look for another formula. It is only when you root out the major barons, who are the suppliers, that you have peace.

    “We have the intelligence. People with the expertise and the police have the man power that is why we are partnering. The Police Commissioner has acknowledged the areas they made mistakes and promised to work with us. I hope that he keeps to the promise.

    “The purpose of this visit is to synergize with the police to  fight the menace of drug abuse in the state. I like this type of synergy and we are looking forward to a joint operation with the police to clean Lagos of drugs.”

    Earlier, Edgal reiterated his commitment to rout drug peddlers in the state, noting that there was a nexus between drug use and crime.

    He said: “During the 11 town hall meetings I have held, the community leaders kept complaining about the issue of drug abuse and I have also observed the relationship between drugs use and crime.

    “When people have access to drugs, it emboldens them to get involved in crime. Cultism is also a problem. Where men and teenagers are involved in cult related violence and narcotic substances are recovered from them, it is enough to draw the attention of the police.

    “So it’s in this regard that I decided to meet with you not only to identify major drug peddlers in the state but to gain from your agency’s experience.”

  • NDLEA faults Police’ drug war

    NDLEA faults Police’ drug war

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday faulted the daily raids of drug den by the Lagos Police Comman, noting that it was not targeted at the drug barons.

    NDLEA’s Commandant in Lagos, Sulyman Aliyu stated this during a visit to acting Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal, where both agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for better collaboration.

    According to Aliyu, raiding the small dealers and drug users was not the solution to drug misuse/abuse by teenagers and youths since the vice was on the rise.

    He also faulted the handling of exhibits recovered from the field by policemen, noting that they are most times compromised and invalidated in the prosecution of suspects.

    Aliyu said: “We have talked about the grey area. There are some mistakes here and there. If you don’t come closer to the NDLEA, you may not know the kind of operations we do. Let me say it clear that for the six years I have been in Lagos, there was no year we did not seize up to 10 tons of drugs. There is no year we did not prosecute 300 suspects of the about 700 arrested.

    “If you are arresting people and the trend of drug is not going down, then you look for another formula. It is only when you root out the major barons, who are the suppliers, that you have peace.

    “We have the intelligence. People with the expertise and the police have the manpower that is why we are partnering. The Police Commissioner has acknowledged the areas they made mistakes and promised to work with us. I hope that he keeps to the promise.

    “The purpose of this visit is to synergize with the police to fight the menace of drug abuse in the state. I like this type of synergy and we are looking forward to a joint operation with the police to clean Lagos of drugs.”

    Earlier, Edgal reiterated his commitment to rout drug peddlers in the state, noting that there was a nexus between drug use and crime.

    He said: “During the 11 town hall meetings I have held, the community leaders kept complaining about the issue of drug abuse and I have also observed the relationship between drugs use and crime.

    “When people have access to drugs, it emboldens them to get involved in crime. Cultism is also a problem. Where men and teenagers are involved in cult-related violence and narcotic substances are recovered from them, it is enough to draw the attention of the police.

    “So it’s in this regard that I decided to meet with you not only to identify major drug peddlers in the state but to gain from your agency’s experience.”

  • Court remands man caught with Indian hemp

    Court remands man caught with Indian hemp

    A Federal High Court on Monday has ordered the remand of one, Oladele Abayomi, in prison custody over alleged possession of illicit drugs.

    Counsel from the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Mr Charles Nwagua told the court that the defendant committed the offence on October.8 at Ojumose Street,,Ado-Ekiti.

    He alleged that the defendant, on the said date, without lawful authority possessed 1.6kg of Cannabis Sativa otherwise known as Indian hemp.

    According to him, the offence contravened Section 19 of the NDLEA , Act.Cap N30,Laws of Federation of Nigeria. 2004.

    The defendant pleaded guilty to the offence while his counsel, Mr Emmanuel Nwokie prayed the court for a liberal rulings since he didn’t waste the time of the court.

    Justice Taiwo Taiwo consequently ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

    He adjourned for judgement to November 8.

  • Gunmen kill three NDLEA operatives

    Gunmen kill three NDLEA operatives

    Gunmen in Okene, Kogi State, have shot dead three operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    NDLEA Commandant Alhaji Idris Bello told reporters yesterday in Lokoja that the operatives were gunned down while on patrol.

    He said they were killed about 8:30 p.m. on October 13 by the gunmen, “who emerged from nowhere.’’

    Bello said the hoodlums came on foot, adding that the incident occurred close to the main gate of the Federal College of Education, Okene.

    He identified the operatives killed as Nicholas Onwumere, Ebun Peters and Abdulrahman Musa.

    The commandant said the NDLEA officers were on duty alongside their three other colleagues when the gunmen struck.

    He said they died on the spot, and their colleagues escaped unhurt.

    Bello said the gunmen snatched the rifles of the officers and escaped.

    He said other security agencies had been contacted, adding that efforts were on to arrest the killers.

    The government in August established a Forward Operation Base in Okene in partnership with the Army to check kidnapping, robbery and other crimes.

    The initiative is yet to yield result, according to observers.

     

  • Time to restructure NDLEA

    Illicit drug trafficking and abuse have remained a quandary in Nigeria for decades now. The extent of this mire or messy muddle was first brought to public attention on April 10, 1985 during what might be termed Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘First Missionary Journey’ to Nigeria. For those old enough to know, and/or those that might be interested in the history of illicit drug in Nigeria, April 10, 1985 remains morbid a watershed. It was on that day that the narco-trio of 26-year old Bartholomew Owoh, 29-year old Bernard Ogendengbe, another 29-year old Akinni Lawal Ojuolope were publicly executed by firing squad upon their sentence by a special military tribunal for trafficking in illicit drugs. Their execution was backed by Decree 20 which was enacted in 1984. The death penalty was however soon abolished after Ibrahim Babangida took over in another military coup on August 27, 1985. Since then the prevalence of drug abuse and its exacerbating social consequences have lingered on in Nigeria.

    Recent times have unfortunately witnessed some astronomical prevalence in the phenomenon. Illicit drug trafficking and abuse are presently done openly. These drugs can be obtained in clubs, some major hotels, inner street areas and even over the counter (OTC) in pharmaceutical shops. The sociological consequences of this situation can hardly be imagined. Many young people are either dying or wasting away due to their involvement in drug abuse. Just recently two friends of David Adeleke, a popular Nigerian hip-hop music star artist popularly known as Davido reportedly died of drug overdose. The first victim was Umueke Tagbo, who was said to have ingested a combination of substances in addition to 40 shots of tequila at a pub in Lekki, Lagos. Gbemiga Abiodun alias DJ Olu, Davido’s other friend and son of Dapo Abiodun, multi-millionaire oil magnate, also allegedly died of drug overdose. These unfortunate incidents and many more involving low profile persons infer the extent of the drug menace in our country at the moment.

    But the aforesaid is just one part of the story. The other part, which is equally disturbing, is the fact that the country’s image continues to be enmeshed in disrepute as many Nigerian get convicted of drug offences and are being sentenced to death in countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam among others every now and then. A few examples will suffice here. Not long after Michael Ikenna was put to death by lethal injection in Vietnam, another Nigerian Iwuchukwu Amara Tochi got executed in Singapore. Two years ago, two other Nigerians namely Solomon Okafor and Daniel Enenuo were in one swoop put to death in January 2015 in Indonesia after being caught with heroine. Some months later, precisely in July 2016 three other Nigerians were executed having been sentenced to death in the same country. There are many more that have been arrested, tried, sentenced and are awaiting execution in those and other countries where drug offences attract the maximum death penalty.

    A valid question that may be asked at this point is what government is doing about this ugly trend?  Without disregard for the existing drug war architecture in the country, the nation seems to be performing rather very poorly in the war on several fronts. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the statutory agency of the Nigerian government charged with the responsibility of addressing the problem is apparently overburdened, very poorly funded and grossly understaffed. NDLEA is therefore unable to adequately tackle this debilitating social menace which has a clear correlation and tie of consanguinity with violent crimes like kidnapping, robbery, rape, terrorism and other transnational crimes. Apart from the fact that personnel of NDLEA are ill-equipped to sustain the fight headlong, they also appear laidback on any meaningful impact in the area of drug demand reduction (DDR), having particular regards to treatment, counseling, rehabilitation and social reintegration. The main reason for the agency’s laidback approach to DDR is tied to one of the provisions in the NDLEA Act. In part II of the Act which deals with offences relating to drug abuse and trafficking subsection (1) of Section 10 thereof, the possession and use of drugs like cocaine, LSD, heroine among others is spelt out as an offense liable on ‘conviction to imprisonment for a term not less than fifteen years, but not exceeding twenty-five years’. The logical implication of this is that addicts and/or rather victims are seen by the Act as criminally liable. Of course nobody who considers himself criminally liable will go to NDELA for help.

    Yet subsection (3a) of section 7 of the Act provides for a counseling unit in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, which essentially is a DDR function. Under this section, the agency undertakes education, after-care rehabilitation and promotion of the welfare of convicts. This is perceived as absurd, inconsistent and unreasonable when considered critically; for there is no drug abuse victim who is aware that possession of heroin or cocaine or even ordinary cannabis will easily send him to jail that will submit himself or herself to the NDLEA for counseling and rehabilitation. Of course there is no way anyone can use any substance without first possessing it

    It is in the light of the above, that the action which the upper chamber of the National Assembly took on Tuesday, October 11, is considered a positive omen pursuant to the effort to tackle the drug menace in the country. On that day Senator Baba Garbai representing Borno Central Senatorial District moved a motion at the Senate plenary on the urgent need to check the rising menace of drug abuse among youth in the northern part of the country. In moving the motion, Garbai prayed the Senate to mandate its committee on drugs, narcotics and health to investigate the drug scourge pursuant to appropriate action thereto. Whereas Senator Garbai’s motion is thought of as timely, it is however unfortunate that it focused only on a particular section of the country. This is considered unfortunate against the sad reality of the prevalence of the drug menace across the nation.

    Though it has been alluded to earlier, it suffices to add here at the risk of accentuation, that current participant observation research efforts are indicative of the fact that a wide of controlled substances can now be procured by young people over the counter (OTC) in pharmaceutical and even patent medicine stores or joints in villages, towns and cities within the country. The situation, to say the least, is pretty scary and awe-inspiring. Controlled substances are so-called because of their detrimental effects on general human health and well-being irrespective of their pharmacological value. It is for this reason that these substances are usually registered and scheduled by government and strictly controlled with penalties for those who violate these controls. Considering the fact that it is not all such substances that are illicit, and that some of them fall under prescription drugs which could be available to members of the public in pharmacy shops, but strictly on medical prescription, it amounts to unwholesomeness and gross ethical malpractice therefore if there are dispensed for abuse over the counter (OTC).

    In view of the above, it is strongly suggested that the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Health in investigating the matter, should among other steps, consider the review of existing laws on the scheduling of drugs. The committee may in so doing consider nascent scientific trends on bio-psycho-socials dependency potential and other effects of these substances by borrowing a leaf from the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) scheduling system.

    A new controlled substances Act should not only strictly forbid and punish the production, possession, illegal sale and dispensing of such substances but make it socially unattractive to be involved in abuse of such drugs. The later part of this advocacy is achievable through conscientization. This should begin with the restructuring, strengthening, adequate staffing, better funding and equipping of the NDLEA for execution of interdiction of drug offenders. Sections of the existing NDLEA Act that are clearly absurd, contradictory and inconsistent should be expurgated from it in order to severe the crippling effects that have seriously hampered its function of ridding our society of the illicit drug scourge.

    Finally, it is hereby very strongly advocated that drug counseling centres should be established in every Teaching Hospital and Inspectorate Unit of the Federal and State Ministries of Education in the country. Such units should also be set up in social welfare department and related agencies to effectively deal with the wide range of issues in drug demand reduction (DDR) in the country.

     

    • Bassey is President, African Council on Narcotics (ACON), Abuja.

     

  • NDLEA nabs 25 suspected drug dealers, addicts

    NDLEA nabs 25 suspected drug dealers, addicts

    •15kg of Indian hemp recovered

    A combined team of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and security agencies in Abia State has reportedly raided one of the notorious Indian hemp spots in Aba, popularly called “Black Kingdom”.

    It is located behind the popular Samek Shoe Plaza, Ariaria International Market. The Nation learnt the spot had existed for years. Suspected robbers, kidnappers, cultists and other criminals met there before going for operation.

    NDLEA Commander Mr. Akingbade Bamidele, parading 25 suspected drug dealers and addicts comprising 24 men and one woman before reporters at the command’s headquarters, said the arrest was made through the assistance of the police and soldiers.

    Bamidele, who gave the names of some of the suspects as Leonard Alison, Iheanyichukwu Ahuruezemma, Obioma Linus, Chimezie Onyebueke and Joy Asogwa, said they recovered substances suspected to be drugs weighing about 15kg from them.

    He said investigation was on, adding that the operation would reduce crime in Aba and its environs.

    “Some of the suspects will be rehabilitated and the dealers will be arraigned,” Bamidele said.

    On what the command was doing to stop the activities of drug dealers and addicts at the spot, he said: “I’ve written to the governor on what we should do there. We have his support, but with this new development, we will send a reminder to him on the need for NDLEA to have an outpost at “Black Kingdom”, just as it is at Milverton/York so that the agency will prepare its men and officers to take over the place.

    “The government needs to look at the place and see how to take over the area. Those that own abandoned buildings these people are using, who are not ready to develop them; these criminals have taken over the place. There’s need to take over that place. The area should be fenced, to prevent criminals from encroaching on it.

    “The government needs to look at that place and decide the structure it wants to build there, to prevent people who do not have legitimate business from entering there.”

  • House panel orders banks to allow Patience Jonathan access accounts

    House panel orders banks to allow Patience Jonathan access accounts

    THE Public Petitions Committee of House of Representatives has directed six banks to  allow former first lady Dame Patience Jonathan and her relatives to access their accounts  that have no restriction order from a court or any anti-corruption agency.

    The lawmakers urged the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, to appear before it on October 4.

    The committee regretted that Magu failed to honour its invitation on three occasions. It, however, advised that it should not be compelled to force his appearance before.

    At the continuation of hearing on a petition yesterday on harassment of the former first lady by security agencies, some of the affected banks denied restricting access to some of the accounts belonging to her.

    The banks said access was only denied to the accounts flagged by the EFCC.

    Diamond Bank said Mrs. Jonathan has three accounts with it. The bank said one was closed and the other two have no restrictions on them, including that of her non-governmental organisation (NGO), Women for Change.

    Fidelity Bank said it has no account being maintained by the former first lady. EcoBank requested for specific accounts involved as it has no previous knowledge of the accounts being mentioned by Mrs. Johnathan’s representatives.

    According to the former first lady, who was represented by Ayodeji Adedipe of Granville Abibo and Co, a Union Bank account belonging to her two NGOs , ARM Foundation and World Peace Outreach, were also placed on restriction without due process.

    The bank, in its response, said the ARM Foundation account became inaccessible as a result of the temporary precautionary order of restriction placed on it by EFCC.

    The committee ordered that the account be converted into a premium deposit account to enjoy necessary interest denied it since the restriction order until the EFCC gives a different directive.

    The committee asked Aridolf Jo Resort, another property belonging to Mrs. Jonathan, which was accused of evading tax by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the tune of N10 million to pay its tax.

    Mrs. Jonathan’s representative said the company was up-to-date with its tax returns, adding that FIRS did not communicate details of the said evaded tax to it.

    The company tendered two FIRS receipts dated August and October 2016 showing payment of N38, 700 and N43, 030.

    FIRS representative said records of the two payment were available but short of the official threshold, while adding that several correspondences sent to the company since June 2016 were ignored until enforcement was carried out in July  2017.

    According to FIRS, the company refused to supply it with relevant document with which to access it. Tax officials were also stopped from carrying out the enforcement by some militants after failed efforts to get the requested documents.

    In his ruling, Committee chairman, Uzomoma Nkem-Abonta, gave the two 14 days to reconcile their records, adding that the hotel must pay its tax.

    “We are not siding anybody. But as a legislature, we cannot condone tax evasion by any individual or organisation because tax is one resource we have not totally explored in this country as a source of revenue for government,” Nkem-Abonta said.

    The committee also gave the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) two and a half hours to provide details of the November 30, 2016 raid on  Mrs. Jonathan’s Maitama, Abuja house.

    The committee said it was not convinced that there was a whistleblower that necessitated the raid in the first place.

    NDLEA’s representative , Femi Olruntoba, said the agency was misled into raiding Mrs. Johnathan’s house but declined to reveal the identity of the whistleblower in public.

    He said the agency had already apologised for the mistake.

    On the appearance of EFCC boss, the committee said collusion between government agencies was not healthy and should not be encouraged but Magu should not allow the House to force his appearance before it.

    According to the committee, the appearance of Magu or his representative was critical to the proceeding. It added that Magu’s absence was stalling the investigation.

  • Cannabis Plantation: NDLEA arrests 14 farmers in Gombe

    Cannabis Plantation: NDLEA arrests 14 farmers in Gombe

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Gombe State on Tuesday said its operatives arrested 14 farmers for cultivating Cannabis in two communities.

    The Commandant of the agency in the state, Mr Aliyu Adole, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe that the farmers were arrested with 413.19 kilogrammes of Cannabis.

    He said nine of them were arrested with 322.6 kg at Kulani village of Balanga Local Government Area of the State, while five were with 191.300 kg at Amkargu village of Taraba State.

    He added that “we have been on farm raid in the past one month and we arrested 14 people with 413.19 kilogrammes of Cannabis from two villages; some farmers have hectares of Cannabis farms, while some plant in their backyards.

    “We also arrested five others with 191.300 kilogrammes of the substance at the boundary village between Gombe and Taraba, headed by an old man of about 76 years who claims that he is 62 years.”

    According to him, all of them will be charged to Federal High Court for prosecution.