The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDLEA

  • Abdallah is new NDLEA Chairman/CEO

    Abdallah is new NDLEA Chairman/CEO

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah as the new Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    According to a statement by Director of Press in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bolaji Adebiyi, the appointment takes effect from January 11, 2016.

    It is for a first tenure of five (5) years.

    “Mr. Abdallah, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Nigeria Army, has a Certificate of Education from Nigeria Defence Academy in 1977, a Bachelor’s Degree in American Politics and Government from Sam Houston State University, Huntville, Texas, USA in 1989, an M. A. Public Administration, LLB and LLM Degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 2005 and 2011 respectively and Bachelor of Law from the Nigeria Law School in 2006

    “Mr. Abdallah is a Professional Security Officer whose public service career spanned over 30 years during which he served in various capacities and strategic positions in the military. Born on November 13, 1954, Mr Abdallah is from Hong, Adamawa State.”

  • NDLEA arrests 186 drug suspects in Cross River

    NDLEA arrests 186 drug suspects in Cross River

    The Cross River Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 186 drug suspects in 2015, it has been learnt.

    Its State Commander, Mrs Anthonia Edeh, told reporters in Calabar, the state capital at the weekend that of the number, 169 were men and 17 women.

    Mrs Edeh said the command also impounded 368,908 kilogrammes of various categories of hard drugs within the period under review.

    She said: “Also, out of the hard drugs seized, 368,479 were cannabis sativa; 43,601 grammes of cocaine and nine grammes of psychotropic substance.”

    The NDLEA commander said the Federal High Court, sitting in Calabar, last year, convicted 54 suspects to various terms of imprisonment, ranging from one to 15 years, for drug-related offences.

    According to her, the command counselled and educated the public at schools, motor parks and markets on the dangers of hard drugs.

    She said: “Ninety nine clients were counselled and reintegrated into the society while the public was sensitised on the inherent dangers of drug abuse and the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

    The NDLEA commander sought the support of Cross River government and other stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

    She said: “There is also the need for the citizens to furnish the agency with information on illicit drug activities.”

    Mrs Edeh assured that the command would, this year, accelerate its fight against drug trafficking.

     

  • NDLEA intercepts lorry loaded with drugs

    NDLEA intercepts lorry loaded with drugs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Katsina State has intercepted a lorry loaded with cannabis sativa, psychotropic substances and cough syrups concealed in paint containers.

    The NDLEA State Commandant, Hajiya Maryam Sani, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Katsina, said that the vehicle was intercepted in Katsina on Friday, following a tip-off.

    ‘’The suspects placed real paints on top, whereas the others were below to deceive people into believing it was all paints that were being transported.

    “When the vehicle was stopped by our men on duty, the some of the occupants of the vehicle took to their heels while two persons were arrested,’’ she said.

    The commandant added that the items concealed inside the paint containers included cannabis sativa wrapped with polythene materials, hundreds of bottles of cough syrups, different types of psychotropic substances and other prohibited drugs.

    She expressed concern over the increasing rate of drug abuse among youth in spite of the enlightenment campaign being championed by the agency.

    ‘’The rate at which boys and girls are abusing drugs, particularly cough syrup, is alarming.

    “Parents should bring their daughters who are involved in such ugly acts to us for rehabilitation from time-to-time,’’ she said.

    The commander, therefore, solicited for the cooperation of the public in exposing the activities of those dealing in hard drugs.

  • Ojukwu family denounces suspected drug trafficker

    The family of late Biafran warlord, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, has denied having ties with a suspected drug trafficker, Ijeoma Ojukwu, who was nabbed in Lagos recently.

    The suspect was arrested alongside five others by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for being in possession of 2.24kg of cocaine.

    Others are – Ali Bala Adamu, Uche Igwelo, Egbuche Fidelis Osita and a staff of the NDLEA, Victor Umeh.

    She was widely reported as a niece to the late Biafran warlord.

    But in a statement issued by a brother to the late warlord, Lotanna Ojukwu, the suspect was unknown to the family.

    “We wish to inform you that the woman arrested by NDLEA for importing cocaine into Nigeria, whose photograph has appeared in some publications, named Ijeoma Ojukwu, is not in any way related to my brother – Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

    “Our family therefore demands that you stop referring to her as Ikemba’s niece. Thank you for your cooperation,” he stated.

    However, the spokesperson for the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the suspect who was still in the agency custody has insisted she was a niece to the late Ojukwu.

    “She is still in our custody. They should go and find out her background. She said she is Ojukwu’s niece,” Ofoyeju added.

  • NDLEA arrests 140 drug traffickers in Bayelsa

    NDLEA arrests 140 drug traffickers in Bayelsa

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bayelsa State Command, Tuseday, said it arrested 140 drug traffickers and confiscated 404.411 kilogrammes of different types of narcotics in the state.

    The agency’s Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs, Mr. Ikenna Osakwe, said in a statement Tuesday that the agency recorded the success in 2015.

    Osakwe said out of the suspected drug traffickers, 124 were males while 16 were females.

    He said most of the arrested suspects were between the ages of 24 and 45 years.

    He said: “Pertaining drug exhibits, a total of 404.411kg of various types of drugs were recovered and seized.

    “Precisely, Cannabis Sativa accounted for 400.683kg, Cocaine 0.062kg, Heroin 0.033kg and psychotropic substances 3.633kg.

    “Furthermore, 16 litres of Combine, aka ‘goskorine’, ‘monkey tail’ or ‘mukite’, a mixture of Cannabis Sativa and alcohol was also seized.

    “It is worthy of note that N189, 370. 00 monetary exhibit was also seized in the year under review. The total value of the drugs seized was N2, 839,959.95.”

    Osakwe said 27 convictions were secured by the agency while other cases were still at various stages of prosecution.

    He added 96 drugs dependent persons were counselled in the Drug Demand Reduction Unit (DDRU) of the command.

    He said of the number, 27 persons had successfully completed the three-month mandatory process of counseling while 12 of them were still undergoing the process.

    Osakwe further said public enlightenment materials were also distributed during the command’s public enlightenment programmes to educate the people on the dangers of illicit drug trafficking and abuse and to teach intervention techniques for already drug dependent persons.

    He said: “It is the hope of the Command that in 2016, the level of cooperation and synergy between the Command and relevant stakeholders in the war against illicit drug trafficking and abuse will significantly increase.

    “In this wise, we wish to invite all of the relevant stakeholders, especially the state ministries of Women Affairs, Education, Youth and Sports Development among others, to be more active in partnership with the command.”
    Osakwe acknowledged and appreciated Governor Seriake Dickson and his cabinet for the immense contributions and value added towards the progress and functioning of the command.

    He urged Bayelsa residents to remain vigilant and report any incidences of illegal drug activities to the command to safeguard the health and well-being of all members of the society.

  • Drug Abuse: NDLEA seeks re-introduction of civic education

    Drug Abuse: NDLEA seeks re-introduction of civic education

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is seeking the re-introduction of civic education in schools across the nation.

    Commander of the agency in Enugu State, Anthony Ohanyere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the situation in the country with regards to drug use among young persons had made it necessary for civic education, supported by moral instruction to be brought back into school curriculum.

    He said that the two disciplines were vital ingredients in moulding the character of youths and would contribute in engendering patriotism in them.

    His words: “Civic education and moral instruction should be re-introduced in all schools; this will help to reorient our youths from vices, crime and drug abuse.

    “The principle that these disciplines will inculcate will also make the youths patriotic and harness their enormous energy and potentials for positive national engagements.

    “The concepts and ideas like War Against Indiscipline (WAI) should be re-emphasised and fashioned to gain youths support and followership,” he said.

    Ohanyere asked the federal government to strengthen the law against child abuse and human trafficking to check people who distract children from attending schools.

    He called on private educational institution proprietors to support the government in making education cheap and affordable for all.

    “It is believed world over that education is the most potent force to fight drug abuse and crime, since an enlightened mind would decipher good from the bad, and most times, engage in positive and productive activities,” he added.

     

  • Cocaine trafficking : NDLEA arraigns four

    Cocaine trafficking : NDLEA arraigns four

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Thursday arraigned four men at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly importing cocaine, a banned narcotic drug.

    Among them was Simon Omeluonye, who was caught with 7.785 kilogrammes of cocaine.

    He was arrested last August 22 during inward clearance of a South African Airways flight from Brazil via South Africa at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.

    Also arraigned were Churchill Okwudili, Arinzechukwu Okpala, and Chukwemeka Nwoye, all for alleged cocaine trafficking.

    Okwudili was arrested last November 14 during inward clearance of Emirates Airlines flight from Brazil at the ‘E’ Arrival Hall of the MMIA.

    He allegedly imported 940 grammes of cocaine without lawful authority. Okwudili pleaded not guilty.

    NDLEA said Nwoye was arrested on October 8 during inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight from Dubai at the ‘E’ Hall of MMIA.

    He pleaded not guilty to importing 1.678 kilogrammes of cocaine.

    Okpala was arrested last November 17 during the inward clearance of Emirates Airlines passengers from Dubai.

    The prosecution said he unlawfully imported 2.720 kilogrammes of cocaine, but the defendant pleaded not guilty.

    The alleged offences, which contravene Section 11 (a) of the NDLEA Act 2004, attract a maximum penalty of life sentence but could be lesser based on the judge’s discretion.

    Justice Saliu Saidu granted the four bail in the following sums: Omeluonye, N20 million; Okpala, N12 million; Okwudili, N5 million; and Nwoye, N5 million, with two sureties each in like sum.

    One of the sureties must be their relative with a landed property in Lagos, the other a must be public servant not below Grade Level 14.

    Justice Saidu said the prosecution and the registrar must be satisfied with the sureties, who, along with the defendants, must deposit their international passports with the court.

    He adjourned till March 7, 9 and 16 for trial.

     

  • Septuagenarian to court: I deal in drugs

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    A 72-year-old man, Samuel Akhigbe, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to unlawfully dealing in a banned narcotic drug.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned him before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Prosecution counsel, Jeremiah Aernan, said Akhigbe dealt in 3.3 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD, without lawful authority.

    He allegedly committed the offence in November 9, 2015 at 5, Command Road, Ipaja, thereby violating Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, 2004.

    Akhigbe, who said he suffers from tuberculosis, pleaded guilty to the charge. “I am guilty,” he said when the one-count charge was read to him.

    Aernan asked for a new date for review of facts of the case and sentencing. Justice Saidu adjourned till March 12.

    NDLEA also arraigned three men and a woman – Okwuma Michael, Juliet Gabriel, Kelechukwu Eletamuzor and James Nwajagu – for allegedly attempting to import and export banned narcotic drugs.

    Prosecution counsel, Fingere Dinneys, said Michael was arrested on October 27, 2015 during inward clearance of South African Airways flight from Brazil at the ‘E’ Arrival Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    He allegedly imported 3.4 kilogrammes of cocaine without lawful authority. Michael pleaded not guilty.

  • NDLEA vows to end trafficking through Seme

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command has vowed to intensify its war against traffickers through the Seme Border.

    Speaking at the Command’s headquarters at Ibereko, Badagry, the Commander, Udotong Essien, said 907.45 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa was seized at the border last year, while 22 persons were convicted at Federal High Court Lagos.

    Also recovered were N3,849,650; 2,307,000million CFA; $50,391.00, one Mercedes Benz V-boot saloon car, three Honda Motorcycles and one Yamaha Engine boat. Five drug dependent persons were counseled on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking, he said.

    “We made more arrests of persons with Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) otherwise referred to as Skunk in Ghana, where all seized Indian Hemp came from. This Ghana specie is said to be superior to the ones grown locally here.

    “We made 31 arrests which includes a Ghanian lady identified as Juliet Adjei, caught with 35.5 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa; Samuel Alabi who hails from Ogun State with two kilogrammes; Mohammed Ibrahim from Kebbi, with seven kilogrammes; Ismailla Aliyu and Edwin Igbokwe arrested with 781.5 kilogrammes, N480,000, four motorcycles, one Yamaha boat engine, among others,” he said.

    Essien advised parents whose wards are schooling in Benin Republic to monitor their activities. He said a student was arrested with large quantities of Indian Hemp.

    He debunked claims that his officers employ black magic to detect drug peddlers. “Before you become an NDLEA officer, you must be properly trained. This training centres on what we call risk assessments and profiling. When you see someone that has something to hide, mere eye contact tells you if he is a suspect.

    “We apply intelligence-led policing to nab them. We do a lot of profiling, like where one is coming from and heading to.  We exchange information on suspects with the traditional rulers, the police, the Customs, etc.,” he said.

    Essien said officers were trained locally and abroad last year, adding that they need more gadgets, operational vehicles, among others, for optimal performance.

  • NDLEA arrests Facebook-recruited trafficker

    NDLEA arrests Facebook-recruited trafficker

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 37-year-old woman, Uju Gloria Ezeabata, with 1.325kg of methamphetamine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Ezeabata, who was recruited on facebook, was taking the drug to Malaysia. Drug trafficking carries death penalty in Malaysia.

    She was lured into the business with a marriage proposal, NDLEA said.

    The cartel’s suspected leader, Philip Maduabuchi Akpaka, 39, was also arrested.

    NDLEA Lagos Airport Commander Ahmadu Garba said Ezeabata was arrested following the discovery of methamphetamine in her luggage.

    Garba said: “Gloria was arrested during screening of passengers on an Ethiopian airline flight on her way to Malaysia at the departure hall. Substances that tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 1.325kg were detected in her luggage. The drug was concealed in 26 packs of Indomie noodles in a bag of foodstuff containing plantain, pepper, melon and other spices.

    “Further investigation led to the arrest of Akpaka, who allegedly coordinated the travel arrangement for Gloria and gave her the bag containing the drugs”.

    NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Mrs Roli Bode-George urged the public to be wary of drug cartels that have invaded facebook and other social media platforms to recruit drug mules.

    Mrs Bode-George said: “Members of the public should be wary of these antics, ascertain a wholesome relationship and report suspicious cases to the agency. Some of the tricks to watch out for include marriage proposals to unsuspecting female victims, unsolicited generosity like cash and other gift items as well as offering all-expense paid trip to Asia, Europe, America and South Africa.

    “The mode of recruitment is also instructive because of its mass appeal to youths. I expect lovers of social media to learn from this arrest.”

    Ezeabata who works with an accounting firm in Lagos, admitted having a Facebook relationship that got her involved in drug trafficking.

    She said: “I met a man on facebook some months ago who lives in Malaysia. He told me while chatting online that he is from my state, Anambra. After some months, he proposed to marry me and I requested that he comes to Nigeria to meet my parents as our custom demands. He promised to fulfil every marriage rite. Months later, he invited me to Malaysia, promising to pay all the travel expenses. After several appeals, I decided to visit him. The day I was to travel, he told me to take along a bag of foodstuff sent by his mother from the village. I was given the bag at the airport but in the process of checking it, drug was discovered inside packs of noodles in the bag and I was arrested.”

    Akpaka admitted preparing Ezeabata’s travel papers at the instance of his Malaysia-based friend.

    “I am a transporter. My friend in Malaysia asked me to prepare travel documents for Ezeabata. He also asked me to give her a bag to take to Malaysia,” he said.