The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDLEA

  • Drug trafficking: NDLEA arrests two grandmothers

    Drug trafficking: NDLEA arrests two grandmothers

    Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by two grandmothers to unlawfully export narcotic drugs to New York, United States and Medina, Saudi Arabia.

    The suspects allegedly ingested one hundred and eight (108) wraps of substances that tested positive for heroin and cocaine during outward screening of passengers at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.

    The grandmothers blamed their involvement in drug trafficking on financial hardship.

    NDLEA preliminary investigation revealed that this is the first time a grandmother of 60 years will ingest a whopping eighty-three wraps of narcotics. In addition, the second suspect was going to Saudi Arabia where drug trafficking attracts capital punishment.

    NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba gave the names of the suspected drug traffickers as Adebayo Ebunoluwa Mercy, 60, found to have ingested eighty-three wraps of heroin weighing 1.105kg on her way to the United States and Amodu Ayisat Grace, 59, that ingested twenty-five (25) wraps of cocaine weighing 275 grammes on her way to Saudi Arabia.

    According to Ahmadu, “Adebayo Ebunoluwa Mercy was arrested while boarding a Virgin Atlantic flight to New York while Amodu Ayisat Grace was caught trying to board an Ethiopian airline flight on her way to Medina, Saudi Arabia. The cases are under investigation”.

    Adebayo Ebunoluwa who sells provision at Ikorodu, Lagos said that drug trafficking was an after thought.

    “I am a divorcee selling provision for survival. Things became rough and tough for me when I lost my capital due to family problems. It has been my dream to travel to the United States in search of greener pastures.

    “My involvement in drug trafficking was an afterthought. My intention when I got my visa last year was to go and work to take care of my needs without being a burden to anyone. Everything changed suddenly when I met an old friend at a party.

    “They took care of my travel expenses and gave me three thousand dollars with a promise to assist me secure a job in the United States. It was few hours to my journey that they brought the drugs for me to swallow. They said that it was my contribution for the kindness and money spent on my trip but it turned out to be my biggest mistake,” she stated. She hails from Kogi State.

    Amodu Ayisat Grace told investigators that as a muslim she was glad to travel to Saudi Arabia but her journey terminated at the NDLEA office.

    “I was happy when they offered to sponsor my trip to Saudi Arabia but I never knew it will end in my detention. I sell fufu (staple food from cassava) to take care of my four children as a widow and this has been very challenging.

    “They enticed me with a visit to Saudi Arabia and a handsome reward and I fell for trick. I only swallowed 25 wraps of the drug. Unfortunately I could not get to Saudi Arabia because of my arrest” Ayisat stated. She was born in Lagos.

    NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) said that it is shocking and shameful for grandmothers to be involved in drug trafficking.

    “This move by drug cartels to recruit grandmothers as mules is very disturbing, shocking and shameful. The moral emptiness exhibited by the suspects must be condemned by all.

    “A situation where grandmothers have become a bad influence on their children and grandchildren is highly regrettable,” Abdallah said.

  • Brazilians docked for cocaine trafficking

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday arraigned two Brazilians at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged cocaine trafficking.

    Lima Pereira Erick Diego and Dias Dos Santos Marcia Christina were arraigned on three- count charge of trafficking 23.895 kilogrammes of cocaine to the country.

    The prosecution said they conspired with Ben Abiodun Charles and others who are at large to import the banned narcotic drug.

    According to NDLEA’s counsel, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, Diego, on April 18, imported 14.495 kilograms of cocaine without lawful authority.

    The narcotic was found during the inward clearance of passengers on Emirates Airlines flight from Brazil enroute Dubai to Lagos.

    Christina was accused of importing 9.400 kilogrammes of cocaine on April 18.

    She was caught during inward clearance of passengers on Emirates Airlines flight from Brazil enroute Dubai to Lagos without lawful authority.

    The alleged offence contravenes Section 11 (a) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded in prison pending the hearing of their bail application.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun adjourned the matter till May 15.

  • Air Force operative stabs NDLEA man at Lagos Airport

    AN Air Force (NAF) officer has stabbed an official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), following an alleged attempt to force the agency official to close before the 7 p.m deadline agreed by stakeholders at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal of the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Ikeja, Lagos.
    Efforts to get the names of the two men were unsuccessful last night.
    It was learnt the NAF officer was trying to enforce the 7 p.m closing time when a misunderstanding started between him and the NDLEA operative.
    Sources said the NAF officer did not wait for 7 p.m, but decided to chase out workers, including agents and NDLEA officials, out of the area.
    The NDLEA official was said to have resisted the NAF officer, saying he would wait till the closing time.
    He reportedly told the NAF operative that he would not submit to intimidation, since they were both government security officers.
    A source told The Nation that this infuriated the NAF officer, who questioned the audacity of the NDLEA officer.
    The source added that the NAF officer slapped the NDLEA officer.
    The NDLEA officer retaliated, leading to an exchange of punches. The NDLEA officer reportedly had the upper hand.
    A source said as they were exchanging punches, another NAF officer allegedly stabbed the NDLEA officer.
    The NDLEA officer was said to have fallen down with blood coming out of his body.
    Other officers of both security agencies reportedly engaged in a free for all.
    It was learnt that bystanders started shouting that the NDLEA officer might die if he was not given urgent medical attention.
    He was said to have been taken to an undisclosed hospital.
    NDLEA’s spokesman Mitchell Ofoyeju said it was a minor disagreement.
    He added that the issue had been resolved.

  • NDLEA parades 64 suspected drug dealers

    The Bayelsa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has paraded 64 suspected drug dealers.

    The suspects, 45 men and 19 women, were arrested between January and April for dealing in cocaine, heroine, cannabis and other psychotropic drugs.

    The command recovered one locally-made pistol, a revolver pistol, one hand grenade, five rounds of ammunitions and a handcuff from one of the suspects.

    The Commander, Mrs. Josephine Obi, said yesterday in Yenagoa the suspects were nabbed in Ogbia, Yenagoa, East/West Road and Kaiama.

  • NDLEA parades 64 suspected drug dealers in Bayelsa

    The Bayelsa State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has paraded 64 suspected illegal drug dealers.

    The suspects, 45 males and 19 females, were arrested between January and April, for dealing on cocaine, heroin, cannabis and other psychotropic drugs.

    The command also recovered one locally-made pistol, a revolver pistol, one hand grenade, five rounds of ammunitions and a handcuff from one of the suspects.

    Parading the suspects on Thursday in Yenagoa, the state Commander, NDLEA, Mrs. Josephine Obi, said they were nabbed in Ogbia, Yenagoa, East/West road area and Kaiama.

    She said the command impounded a Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) used in conveying illicit drugs from one of the suspects.

    She said over 239 persons were counseled on the dangers of using hard drugs.

    She said: “Smoking or using drugs is not good for the body and the country, but rather influences and individual to commit crimes and we appeal to parents to warn their children and wards to desist from drugs.

    “Drugs are not alcohol. They have negative effects on the individuals, talk to your neighbors and friends to shun taking drugs. A drug user is not primarily a criminal, but using drugs can push one to commits crimes.”

    Obi lamented that the command had not been able to prosecute any case in court, following the closure of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, adding that the command’s cell was congested with inmates.

     

  • Senators to NDLEA, AGF: allow court to decide Kashamu’s case

    Senators to NDLEA, AGF: allow court to decide Kashamu’s case

    Senate yesterday asked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Attorney General of the Federation and other security agencies to allow the court to decide before attempting to extradite Senator Buruji Kashamu to the United States of America (U.S.) to answer questions on alleged drug trafficking.
    It said the NDLEA and others should allow all court processes concerning the matter of allegation of involvement in drug related offence levelled against Kashamu to be concluded in line with the rule of law.
    The resolution followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which considered the matter of alleged attempts to extradite the senator to the U.S. for allegation of drug offence.
    The report of the committee was in respect of a petition from TRLP Law on behalf of Kashamu against the NDLEA, former Chairman of the NDLEA, Mr. Ahmed Giade and Attorney General for the alleged intention to abduct Kashamu and forcibly transport him to the U.S. without recourse to due process.
    The respondents in the petition were NDLEA, Attorney General and Giade.
    Chairman of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who presented the report, said Kashamu’s travail was being masterminded by some people.
    The committee said Kashamu should be allowed a free man until the cases in court on the allegations against him were concluded.
    Anyanwu said the NDLEA and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation had been orchestrating plans to arrest and take Kashamu to the U.S. on alleged drug trafficking offences.
    He noted that Kashamu should be left alone until cases in court are resolved.
    The Senate added that those behind the plot to extradite Kashamu to the U.S. should stay action pending the outcome of court processes.
    The committee said it discovered Kashamu had been acquitted of all charges against him by courts.
    The recommendations were adopted.

  • Don’t extradite Kashamu to US, Senate tells NDLEA, AGF

    Don’t extradite Kashamu to US, Senate tells NDLEA, AGF

    Senate on Tuesday asked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Attorney General of the Federation and other security agencies not to extradite Senator Buruji Kashamu to the United States of America to answer questions on alleged drug trafficking.
     
    The upper chamber said that the NDLEA and others should allow all court processes concerning the matter of allegation of involvement in drug-related offence levelled against Kashamu to be concluded in line with the rule of law.
     
    The resolution followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions which considered the matter of alleged attempts to extradite the Senator to the US over allegation of drug offence.
     
    The report of the committee was in respect of a petition from TRLP Law on behalf of Senator Buruji Kashamu against the NDLEA, former Chairman of the NDLEA, Mr. Ahmed Giade and the Attorney General of the Federation for alleged intention to abduct Senator Buruji Kashamu and forcibly transport him to the United States without recourse to due process.
     
    The respondents in the petition were NDLEA, Attorney General of the Federation and Mr. Giade.
     
    Chairman of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu who presented the report said that Kashamu’s travail was being masterminded by some people.
     
    The Committee said that Kashamu should be allowed a free man until the cases in court over the allegations against him have been concluded. 
     
    Anyanwu said that NDLEA and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation have been orchestrating plans to arrest and take Senator   Kashamu to the US over alleged drug trafficking offences. 
     
    He noted that Kashamu should be left alone until cases in court are resolved.
     
    The Senate said that those behind the plot to extradite Kashamu to the US should stay action pending the outcome of the court processes.
     
    The Ethics Committee said that its investigations showed that “Kashamu’s travails were being masterminded by some people.” 
     
    The committee said that it discovered that Kashamu had been acquitted of all charges against him by courts in the country.
     
    In its findings and observations, the committee said: After listening fully to the petitioner and respondents, and having painstakingly considered their submissions, the committee observed:
     
    “That the respondents did not fully understand the kernel of the matter, and had to explain again to them that the aspect of Senator Kashamu’s matter referred to the committee for consideration and intervention was the constant threat or effort to get Senator Kashamu abducted by NDLEA, AGF, local and foreign collaborators in order that he might be shipped abroad, not the narcotic cases in various courts.”
     
    The committee therefore “noted that the respondents need to stay action on the arrest/kidnapping/abduction of Senator Buruji Kashamu to allow the legislator concentrate on his duties to the nation.”
     
    It asked the NDLEA not to “overlook the question of internal conspiracy within it since the intention, it appears, was how to extort money from Senator Kashamu.”
     
    The committee recommended: “Having exhausted deliberations on the matter, taking into consideration the views of the petitioner and respondents, the committee hereby recommend as follows:
     
    “That concerned agencies and authorities be advised to stop threatening or carrying out any activities to extradite Senator Buruji Kashamu to the United States of America for prosecution.
     
    “That the courts be allowed to handle the various aspects of the case before them without any interference.”
     
    The recommendations were adopted.
  • NDLEA saves Indonesia-bound drug suspect from death

    NDLEA saves Indonesia-bound drug suspect from death

    Undeterred by the capital punishment for drug trafficking in Indonesia, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have saved a 33 year-old Nigerian travelling to Soekarno–Hatta International Airport Jakarta, Indonesia with narcotics.

    The suspect who claimed to be an Ivorian was arrested while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Indonesia with a Cote d’Ivoire International passport bearing the name Grou Bi Clauvis.

    After he tested positive for narcotic ingestion, 89 wraps of narcotics found to be methamphetamine weighing 1.205kg was recovered from him.

    NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba said that preliminary investigation conducted by the Agency revealed that the suspect hails from Anambra State with the name Umeme Lotachukwu Fabian.

    He attended Boys Secondary School, Onitsha where he graduated in 2007. After his secondary education, he started selling clothes at Onitsha main market before he travelled to India in search of greener pastures in 2013 and returned to the country in 2015.

    He also had an identity card claiming he is from Abidjan.

    Umeme while under observation at the airport excreted 89 wraps of narcotics that tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 1.205kg.

    In his statement, the suspect said that he was offered $5,000 to smuggle drugs to Indonesia. “I am the only son of my parents. I wanted to invest the money in my clothes business and also commence preparation for my marriage in a bid to settle down in life.” Umeme stated.

    He also stated that he was not aware that drug trafficking attracted capital punishment in Indonesia.

    NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd.) while expressing satisfaction with the arrest promised to investigate the identity falsification by the suspect.

    “This is a very dangerous development as the suspect could have been consigned to the gallows under a false identity.”

    Abdallah warned that those contemplating drug trafficking must endeavour to avoid acts of criminality and have respect for the sanctity of their lives”.

    The NDLEA boss promised to carry out detailed investigation on identity falsification and drug trafficking stressing that success against transnational organised criminal gangs demand effective collaboration with stakeholders.

    “Drug cartels can be very daring in their manipulation but we are poised to counter their devices. The agency shall carry out a comprehensive investigation into this case in collaboration with relevant stakeholders” Abdallah stated.

    The suspect will soon be charged to court.

  • Police confiscates N4.6m worth of  Indian-hemp in Jigawa

    Police confiscates N4.6m worth of  Indian-hemp in Jigawa

    Police in Jigawa state on Monday arrested two persons and confiscated substance suspected to be Indian-hemp valued at over N4.6 million.

    This was disclosed by the state’s police commissioner, Mr Rasheed O Akintunde while parading the suspects to news men in Dutse Monday.

    The suspects are Sunday Lawrence, 26 and Shu’aibu Abdullahi, 27.

    Mr Rasheed O Akintunde explained that “On 31st of last month (March) at about 12:15am, a police patrol team at Malam Madori local government area of the state intercepted a vehicle with registration XB 572 AKK along Malam Madori – Yobe highway”.

    According him Sunday Lawrence is an indigen of Kaduna state residing in Kwanar Ganduje in Kano and Shu’aibu Abdullahi of Gashuwa, Yabe state.

    The police boss added that the suspected Indian-hemp was rapped and celled like a books, “Surprisingly, 462 kilograms of a substances recovered in the vehicle. The case will be transferred to National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation”.

    Paraded alongside with suspected drugs traffickers include two suspected kidnappers who robbed one Alhaji Umaru Adamu of Kawada Fulani settlement his motorcycle, handset and kidnapped his wife Hauwa Alhaji Umaru.

    He added that “Alhaji Umaru Adamu reported to the case at Gwaram police station, the police swung in to action and arrested two person rescued the captive and recovered the stolen items.

    Akintude maintained that “Jigawa is relatively peaceful, the nature of cases recorded in March as the command is proactive in tackling any perceived security problem.

     

  • NDLEA uncovers cocaine inside passenger’s boxer shorts

    NDLEA uncovers cocaine inside passenger’s boxer shorts

    Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos have discovered cocaine hidden inside the boxer shorts and luggage of a passenger.

    Two suspected drug traffickers, a jewellery and auto parts dealers have been apprehended in connection with the unlawful importation of the narcotics.

    The suspects, according to the agency, are Okonkwo Godwin, 57, an importer of jewellery found with cocaine in his boxer shorts and Nnaemeka David Chinedu, 37, an auto parts dealer who ingested 94 wraps of heroin.

    This is one of the largest quantities of drugs ingested by a suspect at the Lagos airport lately.

    NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, said that the suspects arrived from Brazil and Uganda with cocaine and heroin respectively.

    “Two suspected drug traffickers are currently being interrogated for illegally importing narcotics into the country. Okonkwo Godwin was caught with one wrap of cocaine in his boxer shorts and another inside his bag all weighing 750 grammes.

    “ He was arrested during the inward screening of passengers on a South African airline flight from Brazil, while Nnaemeka David Chinedu was arrested for ingesting 94 wraps of heroin weighing 1.595kg during the screening of passengers on a Rwandan airline flight from Uganda,” Ahmadu said.

    The 57-year-old suspect, Okonkwo Godwin, who hid a parcel of cocaine in his boxer shorts, told narcotic investigators that he smuggled drugs because of his numerous financial problems.

    “I am married with two children, but I am in a terrible financial crisis. I used to import jewellery for sale at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos and the Onitsha main market. Things have changed so drastically that l even find it difficult to feed my family.

    “ This was what led me into drug trafficking. l was given two wraps of cocaine; one was hidden in my boxer shorts, while the other was in my luggage. The agreement was for me to sell the drug and share the proceeds with my partner in Brazil,” Okonkwo said.

    Nnaemeka David Chinedu said he swallowed 94 wraps of heroin for N 450,000  out of desperation.

    NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd) said the agency would continue to disappoint the plans of drug traffickers “who wish to make money from drug trafficking”.

    The suspects will soon be charged to court.