Tag: NDLEA

  • We’d investigate Teebillz’s drug use, says NDLEA

    We’d investigate Teebillz’s drug use, says NDLEA

    Following the release of Teebillz’s drug test which revealed that the husband of pop star Tiwa Savage tested negative to cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, oxycodone and other forms of hard drugs, the matter of his drug use seem to have been put to rest.

    Following an initial rant on Instagram penultimate Thursday where Teebillz accused his wife of infidelity, his mother-in-law of witchcraft and his father for steering his life in a crazy direction, Tiwa Savage had granted an interview where she also accused her husband of carousing, not caring about her, racking up debts on her bill as well as using cocaine.

    In the aftermath of the allegation of drug use levelled against Teebillz by his wife, some people wondered why the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, did not wade in.

    But over the weekend, NDLEA’s head of Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said that the agency is aware of the story but its main focus is targeted at dealers rather than users.

    “We have heard of it but we don’t want to be dragged into their family affairs,” said Ofoyeju. “Besides, the NDLEA as a reputable institution don’t chase after people that are using drugs. When we go out on operations, when we get back to the office, we determine those who are the dealers for prosecution. Then, those who are found to be users, we recommend them for counselling. But counselling is a voluntary act.”

    However, Ofoyeju said the NDLEA “has a responsibility to investigate. We’d do that but largely, we see it as a family affair that should be treated as such.”

    When Tiwa alleged Teebillz’s cocaine use, some watchers had said cocaine was fairly common among some elites.

    Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti had come on his Facebook page to say, ‘Dem say someone is taking cocaine and u are all acting like we don’t know there is a cocaine and crack epidemic in Lagos, especially on the island? Continue deceiving yourselves.’

  • NDLEA fights youth addiction in Niger

    NDLEA fights youth addiction in Niger

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Niger State has appealed to patent medicine dealers to join the agency in the fight against illicit traffic, sale and abuse of drugs.

    Of particular concern to the anti-drug agency is the increasing addiction of youths to drugs.

    The NDLEA State Commander, Mr Joseph Iweajunwa made the call at a sensitisation workshop the agency organised in conjunction with the National Association of Proprietary and Patent Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) in the state.

    One of the problems facing humanity, he said, is the abuse and traffic of drugs, adding that no country is immune to the devastating consequences of drug abuse.

    He lamented that a large number of youths have become hooked on these drug, expressing concern over the new dimensions of abuse where psycho-active substances have become the drugs of choice.

    Iweajunwa said the workshop for NAPPMED members was necessary because the major source of abused substances especially Tramadol and cough syrups with codeine are the patent and proprietary medicine dealers.

    He intimated that NAPPMED need to put in place sanitising mechanism like a task force to ensure their members operate with the scope of their license as well as educating and sensitising its members on issues concerning their business.

    The NDLEA Commander said, “If the truth must be told, there is no other professional body that can carry out your role in the health delivery system of this nation. All we are asking is that you perform your statutory role in line with the rules and regulations guiding your license and profession.

    “It is only NAPPMED members that can reach out to every nook and cranny of this nation. Your members are the ones that are there for the poor masses. We all know that if your members decide to withdraw their services or go on strike even for one day, the nation may not survive the health crisis that will occur.

    “The reason we do business is to make profit but it is our social responsibility and morally imperative for us to consider the aspect of our actions on the mind and body of our people. A situation where we smile home with cash made from sales of psychotropic substances that have devastating effects on the people is totally unacceptable.”

    He then urged NAPPMED members to liaise with relevant law enforcement and regulatory agencies in carrying out their lawful business adding that nobody can ban them from practicing their lawful and statutory profession if it is done with their license.

    He then urged NAPPMED members to liaise with relevant law enforcement and regulatory agencies in carrying out their lawful business adding that nobody can ban them from practicing their lawful and statutory profession if it is done with their license.

    Giving the participants a lecture on “the role of patent medicine dealers in curbing illicit traffic, sale and abuse of controlled and psychotropic substances,” the NDLEA Deputy State Commander, Mr. Isaac Aloye disclosed that the commonly abused psychoactive drugs in Niger State include Valium, diazepam, rohynol, pemoline, Chinese capsules, nitrasepam, tramadol and cough syrup with codeine.

    He pointed out that the abusers of these drugs get them through the loose hands of private health centres and medicine stores, adding that the effects of drug abuse range from physical to social-political and economical which pose a serious health threat to human existence.

    They were also lectured on the various types of psychoactive drugs, how they can discern the signs of drug abuse and legal implications of illicit traffic and sale of controlled drugs.

  • Cocaine: Ndlea saves two traffickers from death, arrests three others

    Cocaine: Ndlea saves two traffickers from death, arrests three others

    The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd.) said that the agency saved two suspected drug traffickers from untimely death who swallowed 137 wraps of cocaine.

     The duo and three other suspected narcotic traffickers were apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja with 8.588kgs of cocaine.

    Apart from two suspects that ingested wraps of cocaine, three others were caught with cocaine hidden in socks and chocolates.

    Abdallah said both suspects would have died as a result of complications arising from ingestion of 137 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine.  According to the NDLEA boss, “two passengers from Sao Paulo, Brazil enroute Dubai have been saved from premature death by the prompt intervention of narcotic officers.

     ”The suspects were in a critical health condition on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport due to drug ingestion. They were immediately rushed to the hospital for intensive medical care. All 137 wraps of cocaine ingested by the suspects have been successfully evacuated from their system and they are now in a stable health condition”.

    Abdallah warned that people should eschew dangerous and criminal acts that are inimical to their wellbeing, public health and safety.

    “Drug ingestion is a very risky act that exposes drug traffickers to early graves. People must desist from such injurious acts, protect their precious lives as well as promote public wellbeing and safety.

    “The agency will continue to protect lives and enhance public security by ensuring that narcotic drugs are only made available for medical and scientific purposes” the chairman stated.

    NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Hamisu Lawan, said all five suspects were arrested while attempting to smuggle drugs into the country from Brazil and the United Arab Emirates. “The two suspects that escaped death are Ogbobe James Chidiebere, 33, who ingested 62 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.131kg and Okonkwo Ernest Nonye, 33, who ingested 75 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.375kg. Three other suspects are Okanimeh Chinedu Niclopez, 33,  arrested with duty free bag stocked with 3.3kg of cocaine hidden in chocolates; Obeche Ignatius Emeka, 29, and Ikeaba chidi Anthony, 31, caught with 1kg and 1.782kg of cocaine hidden inside socks” Hamisu stated.

    Ogbobe James Chidiebere and Okonkwo Ernest Nonye who are from Enugu State were thankful to the NDLEA for saving their lives. In the words of Ogbobe, “I thank the NDLEA for taking us to the hospital on time. I know that I made a mistake, but I never knew that it could lead to my death. I thank God that I am alive. This has taught me a bitter lesson”.

    All the suspects will soon be charged to court.

  • NDLEA arrests corps member with Indian hemp

    The Sokoto State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday arrested a female Youth Corps member currently serving in Zamfara with nine kilogrammes of Indian hemp.

    The Commandant of the agency in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto.

    Idris said the suspect was serving in Gumi local Government area of Zamfara and was arrested along Sokoto-Gusau Road in Sokoto.

    He said the suspect had confessed that she was initiated into the business by a fellow corps member.

    He said the suspect had boarded a luxury bus from Onitsha in Anambra, to Sokoto, from where she would board another bus to Gumi in Zamfara, when she was arrested at a check point in Sokoto.

    The commandant said investigation had already commenced to fish out those who initiated her and their source of supplies, in order to prosecute them.

    “ We will charge the suspect to court as soon as we are through with our investigation,” he said.

    The suspect told NAN at the NDLEA Command, Sokoto, that she regretted her action, saying she did not know how her parents would feel about her arrest.

    “I am ashamed of myself; this is my first time of engaging in this illegal business.

    “I strongly advise fellow corps members to avoid falling into the temptation of such crooked means of making money, “she said.

  • Two held as NDLEA finds cocaine in sweet packs

    Two held as NDLEA finds cocaine in sweet packs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday discovered 193 wraps of cocaine inside packs of sweets at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.

    A statement by its Public Affairs Head, Ofoyeju Mitchell, said the whitish substance concealed in sweets tested positive to cocaine and weighed 3.230kgs.

    Anti-narcotics officials discovered the drugs in the luggage of a 24-year-old female passenger from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    A suspected member of the drug cartel was also arrested.

    Ofoyeju quoted NDLEA Lagos Airport commander Ahmadu Garba as saying that the suspect, who hails from Edo State was found in possession of the drug while a suspected member of the drug cartel in Lagos was successfully traced and apprehended.

    “One Uche Rose Igbainoba who concealed 3.230kgs inside sweets was apprehended at the arrival hall during inward screening of passengers. A suspected member of the cartel, Kamsochukwu Chimezie Ofor was arrested on a follow-up operation. The suspects are being investigated,” Ahmadu stated.

    During interrogation, Igbainoba said she works as a clerical officer after her secondary school, adding: “I work as a clerical staff after I completed my primary school because there was no money to further my studies. I have suffered hardship in life but a man offered to assist me establishes my personal business. He promised to pay me half a million naira. This was how I got involved in this problem.”

    NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive officer Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah warned drug traffickers to desist from criminal acts.

    “Drug criminals should shun their unlawful act because the agency has perfected strategies to detect narcotics notwithstanding how cleverly they were concealed. Recent drug seizures clearly reflect the reformation of the NDLEA as an intelligence-led organisation. We are determined to trace major traffickers behind the scene and prosecute the barons,” Abdallah warned.

    The NDLEA Chairman assured Nigerians that no drug trafficker will go unpunished, adding “we are working hard to perfect the practice of aggressive follow-up on every case from the first to the last person behind every case of drug trafficking. Drug barons shall have no escape route. This way, drug trafficking will either be drastically reduced or completely eliminated from our society”.

     

  • Customs hands over hemp, two suspects to NDLEA

    Customs hands over hemp, two suspects to NDLEA

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Command in Lagos State yesterday handed over weeds suspected to be marijuana (hemp) valued at N412, 300 and two suspects to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The Customs’ Area Controller, Victor Dimka, handed them over to the agency’s area commander Udotong Essien, in Seme near Badagry.

    He said the seizures were made through intelligence reports.

    “The two male suspects were arrested for being in possession of 40 wraps of substances suspected to be illicit drugs, concealed inside cartons of crayfish.

    “They were arrested at the Elijah area of Badagry by the Border Patrol Crack Team ‘A’ and the operation was successfully carried out without any casualty.

    “The arrest was made on April 17, and the suspects tried to bribe the officials, but were resisted.

    “We are determined to maintain the synergy that exists between Customs and other security agencies at the border,’’ he said.

    Dimka said the suspects were also in possession of over nine SIM cards of different networks and charms.

    He promised that patrol at the country’s border with Benin Republic would be sustained.

    Receiving the suspects and the exhibits, Essien lauded customs for the operation.

    “This will further boost the synergy between Customs and NDLEA,” Essien  said.

    He said the agency would carry out further investigations in a bid to fish out the drug syndicate at the border area.

  • Recruitment: NDLEA warns public against fraudsters

    Recruitment: NDLEA warns public against fraudsters

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday warned the public against fraudsters claiming to be recruiting on behalf of the agency.

    Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, Head of Public Affairs, NDLEA, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    Ofoyeju said that the agency does not recruit its officers secretly, noting, however, that many innocent people had been victims of such fraudsters.

    “We are not recruiting yet. If we want to do so, we do it openly. The public should beware of fraudsters claiming to be NDLEA recruiting agents.

    “Unfortunately, many people have been duped by these fraudsters. Some victims claimed they paid between N30,000 and N70,000 to them.

    “People should always ask questions from those in authority before applying for anything,” Ofoyeju warned.

     

  • Two jailed seven years for illicit drug deal

     

     

    Justice Babs Kuewumi of ‎the Federal High Court in Lagos Tuesday sentenced Innocent Dike (32) and Godwin Ehigbue (36) to seven years imprisonment for illegal drug deal.

    They had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge filed against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) when they were arraigned on April 11.‎

    Prosecution counsel, Mr. Jeremiah Aernan, tendered the convicts’ written statement, a request for scientific aid form, a drug analysis result, as well as a an envelope containing the banned narcotic.‎

    Justice Kuewumi held: “The accused are hereby found guilty as charged, and they are accordingly convicted. They are sentenced to a term of seven years imprisonment each, beginning from the date of their arrest.”

    The judge also ordered the drug seized from them to be destroyed.

    NDLEA operatives arrested the accused on February 17, 2014 ‎at Igbogbo in Ikorodu Lagos, with 9. 6 kg of Cannabis Sativa, also known as Indian hemp.

    The offence contravened Section11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

     

  • NDLEA arraigns man for drug trafficking

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned a 24-years-old man, Mamuda Bala at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged drug trafficking.

    He pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of dealing in 2200.8 kg of cannabis sativa, a narcotic the prosecution said was similar to cocaine.

    Bala was said to have committed the offence on February 9 in Ajido, Badagry.

    NDLEA said he was arrested while attempting to export the narcotic which was compressed in 20 bales.

    Prosecution counsel, Mr. Jeremiah Aernan, said the alleged offence contravenes sections 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    Justice Rabiu Shagari granted Bala bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

    The sureties must be level 16 officers in the federal or state civil service and must provide evidence of three years tax clearance.

     

  • Drug abuse has reduced in Ekiti – NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday said drug abuse has reduced in Ekiti State because of cooperation by all stakeholders in tackling the menace.

    The state NDLEA Commander, Suleiman Jadi, disclosed this in Ado Ekiti during the grand finale of the state chapter of the National Essay Competition on Drug Abuse sponsored by an officer of the United States Army and Ekiti indigene, Capt. Sunday Adebomi.

    Jadi said NDLEA is winning the war against drug abuse and called for more logistical support for the agency, especially in the provision of more operational vehicles to combat the menace.

    Describing drug abuse as a “global menace,” Jadi charged key institutions, interest groups and other stakeholders to join hands with the agency to prevent the younger generation from being destroyed by the scourge.

    Jadi said: “In 2013 out of 600 suspects arrested by our agency for drug related offences, 76 of these cases were students.

    “But between September 2015 and now, only four cases have been reported to have connection with students’ involvement, which shows that drug abuse indexes in Ekiti had dropped.

    “We are appealing to the sponsor of this programme to make it annual event because youths are the ones involving in hard drug and they normally exhibit such tendency from secondary school level.”