The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDLEA

  • Illicit drugs fueling crisis in Niger Delta – NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Thursday said frequent use of illicit drugs by youths was fueling the crisis and criminal activities in the Niger Delta region.

    The agency also commended the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) popularly called the Pyrates Confraternity for rolling out a programme to collaborate with NDLEA to tackle the menace of illicit drugs and dangerous substances in Bayelsa State.

    The state’s NDLEA Commander, Mrs. Josephine Obi, who spoke in Yenagoa when NAS inaugurated its anti-drug war and unveiled its Anchor Point as a drug-free zone, identified Ovom, Igbogene and Elebele as communities with high use of illicit drugs and substance in the state.

    Obi, who was represented by the Head of Drug Demand Reduction, Mr. Uzzi Henry, described Bayelsa as a consumer state, saying that had led to upsurge in criminal activities and resurgence of militancy in the creeks.

    He said the NDLEA since its inception in the state had recorded success in its battle against drug.

    He added that the agency was still in a need of cooperation and active support of non-governmental organizations and other bodies like NAS to help win the war.

    He said: “NDLEA wants to sincerely commend the leadership of NAS for this laudable project of the drug free zone. This is what we want in NDLEA because as an agency we cannot do it alone.

    “We need people, groups and organisation to partner with us to fight the use of illicit drugs. There is a link between crime and drugs. Many of the boys carrying out criminal activities do so after taking illicit substance.”

     

     

  • Passenger from Brazil arrested with cocaine in jacket at Lagos Airport

    Passenger from Brazil arrested with cocaine in jacket at Lagos Airport

    Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have discovered wraps of narcotics in the collar of a passenger’s jacket at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The arrest was made shortly after the suspect disembarked from the aircraft on his way from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

    The 31-year old suspect, Agwu  Samuel, confidently wore the jacket containing the drugs but through experience and insight, the drugs were discovered by officers. This is the first discovery of cocaine inside the collar of a jacket by the NDLEA.

    In his reaction, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, described the suspect’s action as desperately crafty and cunning. According to Abdallah, “the cocaine was detected by officers notwithstanding the crafty and cunning mode of concealment. The agency has taken some strategic measures aimed at disappointing the tricks employed by drug trafficking syndicates. We remain committed to exposing criminal plots through superior counter-narcotic intelligence. This operational success is commendable and a demonstration of our alertness to detect drugs.”

    He said that the agency will continue to invest in capacity building programmes for officers.

    The NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, said that the suspect was arrested during routine check on passengers. “Ten wraps of cocaine weighing 110 grammes were found inside the collar of his jacket during screening of passengers on a South Africa Airline flight from Brazil through Johannesburg. The drug which was carefully hidden inside his jacket tested positive for cocaine and investigation is ongoing.”

    Agwu Samuel, the suspect who sells shoes in Togo, said in his statement that he went to Brazil in search of greener pastures but resorted to drug trafficking due to frustration. According to the suspect, “I use to sell shoes in Togo until I lost goods worth N3 million. This negatively affected my business and made me to travel to Brazil in a desperate search for greener pastures. After a fruitless search for job in Brazil for four months, I decided to smuggle drugs to get some money to start my shoe business. I thought the drugs will not be detected inside my jacket but I was caught and I am very sad.” He attended Technical Secondary School in Ohafia, Abia State.

    He will soon be charged to court.

  • Arrested female pilgrim excretes 82 wraps of Cocaine

    Arrested female pilgrim excretes 82 wraps of Cocaine

    A 55 year-old female pilgrim arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja has excreted eighty-two wraps of cocaine weighing nine hundred and thirty-one (931) programmes.

    The suspect was arrested during the outward screening of passengers on an Emirate flight to Dubai en-route Medina.
    Mrs Binuyo Busari Iyabo who hails from Irepodun local government area of Kwara State is married with three children and sells cosmetics at Dosumu market, Lagos. In her statement, she owned up to the crime and also provided investigators with useful information.
    Describing her action as shameful and discreditable, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah warned against trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.He said that drug traffickers shall be severely sanctioned in line with anti-narcotic laws of the land.
    “It is a shameful and discreditable act for a 55 year old mother who is going on a holy pilgrimage to ingest narcotics. This is very shocking and a clear indication of her inability to effectively discharge parental responsibility. The Agency shall invoke the powers of the law against her and others caught indulging in production/trafficking in narcotic drugs”.
    NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Hamisu Lawan confirmed the total number of wraps of cocaine ingested by the suspect while under observation. “Mrs Binuyo Basari Iyabo while under observation expelled eighty-two wraps of cocaine weighing nine hundred and thirty-one (931) grammes. All arrangements have been concluded for her prosecution”. Hamisu stated.
    In her statement the arrested woman said she wanted to expand my cosmetic business but I had no money.“My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage. This was how I got involved in the act. I was excited until the issue of drugs was introduced. I wanted to decline but it was late. Besides, I was offered a million naira which I accepted. I swallowed the drugs in Lagos and took a flight to Abuja on my way to Medina but I was caught in the process” she told investigators.
    NDLEA Chairman called on members of the public not to get involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities capable of exposing them to ridicule and undermining their good reputation.

     

  • NDLEA nabs pilgrim with narcotic, resues two others

    A 55 year old female pilgrim to Medina, Saudi Arabia to perform the annual pilgrimage has tested positive to narcotic ingestion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja. She was immediately placed under observation by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
    The suspect identified as Mrs Binuyo Basira Iyabo has so far excreted seventy-six (76) pellets of substances found to be cocaine.
    At the Murtalla Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, officials also intercepted a 37 year old father of three children for inserting seven wraps of cocaine weighing 355 grammes inside his anus.
    Both suspects were going to Saudi and China where drug trafficking is punishable by death.
    NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Hamisu Lawan said that the female suspect is still under observation until she expels all the ingested pellets of drugs.
    “Mrs Binuyo was arrested during the outward screening of passengers on an Emirate flight to Medina through Dubai. She has so far excreted seventy-six (76) pellets of drugs that tested positive for cocaine. Meanwhile, she is still under observation until the drugs are completely expelled,” Hamisu stated.
    Mrs Binuyo hails from Irepodun local government area of Kwara State. She is married with three children and a trader at dosumu market, Lagos. In her statement, she agreed to smuggling the drugs for a fee.
    “I am a trader in Lagos, married with three children. I wanted to expand my cosmetic business but I have no money. My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage. I was excited until I was asked to take drugs along.
    “I wanted to decline but considering the offer of a million naira, I accepted. I swallowed the drugs in Lagos and took flight to Abuja on my way to Medina but I was caught in the process” she stated.
  • NDLEA arrests 51-yr-old woman with heroin

    NDLEA arrests 51-yr-old woman with heroin

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have apprehended a 51- year- old trader with 180 grammes of heroin.

    The suspect was nabbed during inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopia Airlines flight from Entebbe, Uganda.

    Four parcels of brownish powdery substance that tested positive for heroin was found inside her luggage.

    NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, said that the drug was neatly concealed inside her luggage.

    “She travelled to Uganda for one week and on her return, she was found with four parcels of heroin weighing 180 grammes carefully hidden inside her luggage.

    The case is under investigation and will be charged to court soon” the commander stated.

    The suspect, Akinyemi Monsurat Olajumoke who hails from Ogun State told investigators that she wanted money to expand her business.

    She said: “I got married after I graduated from Muslim Comprehensive High School Ijebu-Ode. I am a trader. I used to buy female clothes from India for sale.

    However, due to family problems and the economic situation, my capital is getting smaller and I wanted to expand my business.

    I was introduced into drug trafficking by a friend who invited me to Uganda. I invested my $3,000 dollars into the deal in expectation of over one hundred (100) percent profit.

    I am sad that things did not go as planned. When the drug was discovered at the airport, I felt as if it was all over for me”.

    Chairman and Chief Executive of the Agency, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) said that the Agency is prepared to tackle drug trafficking cartels.

    “Uganda is not a source country for cocaine but drug cartels are unpredictable.

    They constantly change their mode of operation but we are prepared to counter all their tricks.

  • NDLEA arrests 51-year old woman with heroin

    Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, have apprehended a 51 -year old trader with 180 grammes of heroin.

    The suspect was nabbed during inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopia Airlines flight from Entebbe, Uganda.

    Four parcels of brownish powdery substance that tested positive for heroin was found inside her luggage.

    The NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, said the drug was neatly concealed inside the woman’s luggage.

    “She travelled to Uganda for one week and on her return, she was found with four parcels of heroin weighing 180 grammes carefully hidden inside her luggage.

    The case is under investigation and the woman will be charged to court soon,” the commander stated.

    The suspect, Akinyemi Monsurat Olajumoke, who hails from Ogun State, told investigators that she wanted money to expand her business.

    She said, “I got married after I graduated from Muslim Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-Ode. I am a trader. I used to buy female clothes from India for sale.

    “However, due to family problems and the economic situation, my capital is getting smaller and I wanted to expand my business.

    I was introduced into drug trafficking by a friend who invited me to Uganda. I invested my $3,000 into the deal in expectation of over 100 percent profit.

    I am sad that things did not go as planned. When the drug was discovered at the airport, I felt as if it was all over for me.”

    The Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd), said that the agency is prepared to tackle drug trafficking cartels.

    “Uganda is not a source country for cocaine but drug cartels are unpredictable.

    “They constantly change their mode of operation but we are prepared to counter all their tricks.

    “We will remain vigilant in securing our country from the criminal activities of drug trafficking syndicates,” Abdallah stated.

  • ‘Jailed cocaine dealer forced plane’s emergency landing’

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted a Brazil-based Nigerian, Okeh Desmond Simon, for cocaine trafficking.

    Justice AbdulAziz Anka sentenced him to 24- month imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a one count charge of trafficking in 1.806 kilogramms of cocaine.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, said the convict was arrested on May 27 at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, following an emergency landing of an Emirates Airline Ek 262, which departed Sao Paulo, Brazil enroute Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

    Abu said the convict, who had complications due to the ingestion of the banned substance, forced the aircraft to land in Lagos.

    A medical test conducted on him showed that the convict ingested cocaine and suffered adverse reactions.

    The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 11 (c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    Simon had pleaded guilty to the charge when he was arraigned on August 10.

    His lawyer, Bayo Onifade, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the convict.

    Justice Anka sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

    The judge also ordered that the seized drug be destroyed.

  • NDLEA probes pilgrims’ arrest in Saudi

    NDLEA probes pilgrims’ arrest in Saudi

    The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd), has ordered investigation into the arrest of three Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia in connection with substances suspected to be cocaine.

    Abdallah  expressed disappointment at the incident, saying a panel, headed by  Director of Operations and General Investigation Mr. Olugbenga Mabo would  probe the incident.

    The NDLEA boss said: “Narcotic smuggling is criminal and the involvement of pilgrims is utterly reprehensible. This is unfortunate and we are working hard to get to the root of it. The agency is handling this case with every sense of seriousness and urgency because this action has negatively affected the image of Nigeria. We have also taken measures to intensify the screening of pilgrims yet to depart to Saudi Arabia to prevent a re-currence of the sad incident.”

    He urged pilgrims to uphold the principle of probity, patriotism and eschew any act capable of bringing the image of the country to disrepute.

  • Kwara NDLEA parades man with N9.8m fake currency

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kwara state yesterday paraded one Mohammed Adamu for alleged possession of N9.8million fake currency.

    The fake currency, mainly N1, 000 notes were concealed in a cartoon of noodles wrapped with cello tape. While parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Ilorin, the State Commander of the agency, Mr. Apeh Reuben said the suspected fake currency trafficker was arrested in Jebba, Moro local government area of the state, when he was travelling to Kano on Wednesday this week.

    Reuben added that Adamu allegedly connived with a yet-to-be-identifed individual in Ilorin to carry out the criminal act. He said that investigation is in process to arrest the accomplice. He however, explained that the suspect was paraded in order to alert the public on the fake money in circulation.

    Said NDLEA boss: “We just want to alert the public to be aware of such fake money because if this amount of money is allowed to be injected into the economy, that will be bad. A lay man can hardly identify that it’s a  fake currency. These days we even have cases of people collecting money from ATM and still find fake currency in them.”

  • NDLEA parades five for ‘arm possession’ in Ilorin

    NDLEA parades five for ‘arm possession’ in Ilorin

    •Agency seizes 391 kilogrammes of drugs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kwara State yesterday paraded five persons in Ilorin, the state capital, for allegedly being in possession of locally-made pistols.

    State Commander Apeh Reuben, who paraded the suspects, said the agency in the last eight months arrested 74 suspects, comprising 12 women, adding that 391.26kg of drugs was seized between January till date.

    He said about 14 suspects were arraigned in court and got between 12 months and eight years’ jail terms.

    The suspects were Aliyu Ismaila (26), Aliyu Mustapha (22), Rasheed Isiaq (22), Aina Ayobami (22) and Shuaib Abdulqadir Jumba (19).

    His words: “The suspects were supposed to be dealing in drugs, but alas they were found with functionally sophisticated locally-made pistols, ready for operations.

    “This shows that drug users are potential robbers. Their inability to afford the cost of drugs could make them become robbers. It is noticeable that the impetus for the growing shenanigans of drug among youths in the state has become unimaginable.

    “Youths, between 19 and 45, have a growing intent to commit crime under the influence of drugs. This habit is unlikely to go away on its own because it is widely and erroneously believed in ignorance that substance helps them achieve their aims.

    “For us to have a drug-free society, the agency is appealing to government, private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to give drug abuse and peddling the attention it deserves by assisting the command to curb the growing trend.”