The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDLEA

  • 2,000 bags of Indian hemp found in ‘grave’ in Ondo

    Officers  of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State, have impounded 2,000 bags of Indian Hemp valued at over N20 million.
    The bags of marijuana were confiscated by the NDLEA officials after three days operation carried out in the forest at Ago Dada in Akure North Local Government area of the state.
    The bags were evacuated from a grave-like path of a bush where they were buried to conceal them from being detected.
    The State Commander of the Agency, Mr. Walter Nicholas  said the activities of Indian hemp planters and cultivators have assumed dangerous dimension in the state.
    He explained that the barons have continued to devise new methods of concealing their drugs.
    “It is sad that these barons have continued to devise means of concealing Indian hemp from us. This time around they hid the substance in grave like hole to deceive our men”.
    The NDLEA boss lamented that despite the efforts being made by the agency, drug barons are discovering new methods of hiding the substance from the agency’s officials
    He said, “As an agency, whenever we stumble on any form of strategy adopted by these drug barons, we immediately expose it to the public so that collectively, we can provide surveillance that may lead to the interception of actions.

    He said the agency is aware that most of the drug barons have moved to the forest where most of their activities are now taking place, adding that the command is ready to put up 24-hour surveillance around the state.
    For the illicit to be reduced to the barest minimum, Mr. Nicholas said much is still being expected from the law court despite all efforts that have been put in place by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in trying to make Nigeria a drug free society. “.,

  • NDLEA nabs fake police officer with cannabis

    NDLEA nabs fake police officer with cannabis

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bauchi has arrested one Augustine Odogwu, 45, for allegedly being in possession of 108 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, popularly called India hemp.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the state Commander, Mr Julius Parah, in Bauchi on Monday.

    Parah said that Odogwu was arrested on March 18 in possession of the weeds that was concealed inside the boot of his car.

    He said the suspect disguised himself as a police superintendent with an Identification number 1084 and was able to beat security checkpoints from Abbi in Delta to Bauchi.

    “What makes this arrest spectacular is the fact that the suspect disguised himself as Superintendent of Police.

    “He, indeed, conspicuously displayed a superintendent rank and uniform and a police ID card number 1084 to match,” he said.

    The commander added that preliminary investigation revealed that the Delta born suspect, who resides in Ondo State, was dismissed as a police sergeant in 1993.

    In a related development, one Mohammed Maiunguwa, 41, was also arrested with nine kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in Dako village of Misau Local Government Area.

    The commander said that 194.23 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa was seized by the command in the first quarter of 2013.

    He said that the seizure was done from 56 suspects among them one Turaki Mustapha, from Misau town, who was engaged in the sales of drugs for many years.

    However, Odogwu expressed regrets over the act and begged for forgiveness from his family, church and all the people close to him for disappointing them.

    Odogwu said that this would be the last time he would be involved in drug trafficking, adding that he was in the trade to make ends meet.

  • NDLEA arrests undergraduates, nursing mother

    The Akwa Ibom Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested three undergraduates for trafficking substances suspected to be banned drugs, its Eket Area Commander, Mrs Imaette Umoumana, has said.

    Umoumana, who said the suspects were students of Maritime Academy, Oron; Heritage Polytechnic and Covenant University, said: “We arrested the students at different joints during the holidays. We also arrested nursing mothers with babies, who were caught selling substances suspected to be Indian hemp, were also arrested.”

    She said the suspects were arrested through “classified informantion” and routine surveillance by officers of the command, adding that their cases had been transferred to the state headquarters of the agency.

    Umoumana said the command had begun drug awareness guide for youths and drug dealers in the area, adding that the command was also counselling drug users to rehabilitate them.

    A physically challenged man, she also said, was arrested for cultivating Indian hemp farm in his premises at Esit Eket, adding that more than 10 “joints” where illicit substances were being smoked had been closed down by the command.

    At Afaha Eket Primary School, the Commander said a security officer, Ekemini Inyang, was arrested for selling illicit substances in the premises.

    The NDLEA boss also said the command had arrested 30 drug peddlers with 20.9 kilogramme of cannabis between March and now.

    She, however, expressed regret that some members of the public behave like “enemies” of the agency by allegedly hampering its operations, explaining: “When we go for arrests, some people will gather to fight us. Instead of appreciating our effort, they will come out and accuse us of spoiling their businesses.”

    She, therefore, advised communities to assist the agency with useful information that would enable it to perform its functions effectively.

  • Army hands over 124 bags of suspected Indian hemp to NDLEA

    Army hands over 124 bags of suspected Indian hemp to NDLEA

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday in Abuja handed over 124 bags of suspected Indian hemp it seized from separate operations to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Lt.-Col. Adeyinka Aderanti, Commanding Officer in the Public Relations Unit, Gen. Agui Ironsi Cantonment Abuja, also handed over a suspect to the agency.

    Aderanti told newsmen that the bags of cannabis were seized at a military check point at Abaji on the Abuja-Lokoja expressway on March 31.

    He said 31 of the bags were seized from a J5 bus with registration number, XB 572 BLD by troops conducting check on vehicles at Abaji.

    Aderanti said that the other 93 were seized from another J5 bus with registration number, XH 572 NSR.

    According to him, the first bus jumped a queue to beat the check point and in the process, almost knocked down one of the soldiers.

    “The reserve troops pursued the vehicle and seeing that there was no escape route, the driver and other occupants abandoned it on the middle of the road and ran into a nearby bush.

    “The soldiers combed the bus but all efforts to arrest the culprits failed,’’ he said.

    He said that when the second bus was flagged down and searched, it was discovered that it was conveying bags of the weeds, adding that the bags were covered with plantain.

    Aderanti said that the driver of the second bus, who was arrested by the troops, claimed ignorance of the items he was conveying.

    “He claimed that the owner of the goods was waiting for him somewhere along Abaji-Abuja to receive the items.

    “All efforts made to lure the other culprits and get them arrested did not yield any positive result.’’

    He said preliminary investigation showed that the items were meant for Zaria and Abuja.

    The driver, who spoke through an interpreter, said that he brought the items from Edo, claiming that that he did not know the content of the bags.

    Mr Peter Adegbe, the Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command of the NDLEA, who received the weeds, estimated each bag at N100,000.

    Adegbe said that when they were taken up north and across the border of the country, a bag could be sold for between N150,000 and N200,000.

    He commended the army for partnering with the agency in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

    The NDLEA spokesman assured that the agency would begin investigation into the seizure, to prosecute the suspect.

  • How airport staff aided drug suspect- NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)  has foiled a plot by some airport staff to aid  a suspected drug trafficker in circumventing security checks.

    A suspected drug trafficker, Adetunji Oladeji Joseph was arrested while wearing an official tarmac reflective jacket posing as an airport staff . He ingested 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.350kg. Adetunji was illegally taken to the boarding gates at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos by a female cleaner.

    The alleged mastermind is a driver with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Olatubosun Michael Olatunji. A female cleaner, Mrs Uzoma David and one Mr Ekene Victor Uchenna have been found to be part of the drug racket.

    The NDLEA Chairman,  Ahmadu Giade while describing the incident as an act of sabotage promised to prosecute all persons involved in the criminal act as deterrence to others. He however expressed disappointment over the lack of trust exhibited by the members of staff.

    “It is disappointing for workers at the airport community to indulge in such high level compromise. Their action is inimical and a calculated attempt to undermine security measures at the airport. They will be prosecuted for others to see the bitter consequences of compromise. Drug barons always seek to corrupt officials through bribery but we are working to counter such acts of infiltration” Giade stated.

    He thanked the management of FAAN and other security Agencies over what he described as excellent cooperation spirit. According to NDLEA boss, “I am very pleased with the support and excellent cooperation spirit of the management of FAAN and other Agencies. It exemplifies team spirit and synergy at its best. The arrest and hand over of Olatunbosun Michael Olatunji by FAAN for investigation is commendable”.

    NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport Mr Hamza Umar said that the incident took place on the 7th of February 2013 but the main culprits were only arrested just this weekend. “This is a high level case of aiding and abetting so we took our time in trying to arrest all parties to the crime. Let me also appreciate the support of security agencies at the airport especially FAAN” Hamza stated.

    Preliminary investigation revealed that one Mr Ekene Victor Uchenna, a staff with Avobridge who is currently at large gave his reflective jacket and on duty tag to the suspect. He also handed the suspect to a female cleaner Mrs Uzoma David who led him to the boarding gate to evade screening. The airport staff also collected an undisclosed amount of money to aid the suspect.

    Mr Ekene has been declared wanted by the Agency. It was gathered that he was involved in examination fraud at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos where he is studying Mechanical Engineering at Higher National Diploma Level. Since the incident occurred, he had been on the run.

    Another suspected member of the drug cartel, Peter Chidibere a trader at Trade Fair Complex, Lagos has been arrested by the NDLEA. He is currently being interrogated by narcotic officials. It was gathered that necessary arrangements for Adetunji Oladeji Joseph to smuggle the drugs.

    Meanwhile, Giade said investigation is on-going and more arrests are expected.

     

     

  • NDLEA supports transformation

    NDLEA supports transformation

    The Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has promised to partner with Ekiti State University (EKSU) in its transformation agenda and make the institution a drug-free zone.

    The NDLEA team made the promise during a visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Oladipo Aina. The leader of the team Mr. Dele Akingbade, promised the presence of its members during the orientation programme for fresh students who would be enlightened on dangers of taking hard drugs.

    The leader of the team further stressed that the NDLEA was interested in sensitizing youths on the dangers of drug abuse.

    Mr. Akingbade revealed that over 1,000 Indian hemp plantations had been destroyed in Ekiti State while 69 suspects had been prosecuted in the last one year.

    The Vice-Chancellor praised the NDLEA team and approved its partnership with EKSU in the transformation agenda of his administration.

    Professor Aina said that the University was in a haste to develop adding that his administration would always welcome organizations and individuals ready to support the Institution.

     

     

  • NDLEA decries drugs use in Abia

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has decried the increasing rate of cocaine and heroin consumption in Abia State.

    The Agency’s State Commander, Mrs. Florence Ezeonye, said the agency made a seizure of 1,112 kilogrammes of cocaine, heroin and cannabis last year.

    She said cocaine was 683.9grammes, cannabis 1110.3kilogrammes and heroin 1.46kilogrammes.

    The State Commander said 230 persons were arrested, comprising 211 men and 19 women.

    “We are moving forward at least you can see the increase in the quantity of cocaine and heroin seized in 2012.

    “I can say that people are leaving the trade of cannabis to that of harder drugs.”

  • NDLEA arrests Malaysia-based Nigerian student

    … Caught with 1.430kg of methamphetamine

    Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have prevented a Nigerian student studying in Malaysia from premature death.

    The 31- year old suspect, Dike Chibuzor Vitalis, was caught in possession of 1.430kg of white crystalline powder that tested positive for methamphetamine on his way to Malaysia where drug trafficking attracts death penalty.

    He was intercepted at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, on Wednesday during screening of passengers on a Qatar Airline flight.

    He was immediately apprehended after the substance was discovered in his luggage.

    Vitalis could have joined other Nigerians in death row in the Southeast Asia nation if not for the intervention of the anti-narcotic Agency.

    The suspect who hails from Orlu, Imo State said that he was promised 4,000 dollars to deliver the drugs in Malaysia.

    In his words, “I was asked to take an empty bag to Malaysia for a fee of 4,000 dollars. When I got to the airport, the drug was discovered. That was how I got involved.”

    Speaking on the arrest, the NDLEA Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar, explained that the drug was concealed inside the bag.

    “The drug was industrially packed in a way that we have to cut the sides of the bag open with a knife to discover the drugs. It will take a professional to detect the drugs,” Hamza stated.

     

  • Baba Suwe vs NDLEA: Parties to argue briefs April 18

    Baba Suwe vs NDLEA: Parties to argue briefs April 18

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos has fixed April 18 for hearing in the appeal filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, challenging the N25 million damages awarded to Yoruba actor, Babatunde Omidina (Baba Suwe).

    Justice Yetunde Idowu of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, had on November 24, 2011, ordered the agency to pay N25 million as damages for unlawful detention of the respondent on suspicion of drug ingestion.

    The court also ordered the agency to apologise to the actor publicly, in conspicuous pages of two national dailies.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the hearing on Friday at the appellate court had to be adjourned because the suit was listed for motion, instead of arguments.

    The court, presided over by Justice Chima Nweze, said the suit was wrongly listed for motion, instead of arguments.

    Nweze said that in view of the error, the case was, therefore, adjourned to April 18 for definite hearing.

    NAN recalls that Baba Suwe was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on the October 12, 2011 for allegedly ingesting narcotics.

    He was detained for several weeks but did not excrete any such substance.

    The trial judge, Idowu, in her judgment, held that the detention of the actor and the ill treatment meted to him while in custody violated his constitutionally-guaranteed rights.

    Counsel to NDLEA, Mr. Femi Oloruntoba, in a five-ground notice of appeal, urged the appellate court to set aside the judgment, claiming that the award of N25 million in favour of Omidina was arbitrary.

    He also submitted that the trial court wrongly assumed jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

    Oloruntoba had insisted in the appeal that keeping the respondent in custody between October 12 and October 21, 2011, on the suspicion of drug ingestion, did not violate his rights.

    The agency further stated that there was an order of the Federal High Court on October 21, 2011 for a further detention of the applicant for 15 days.

    He said the detention of the applicant for nine days was legitimised by the court order.

    The NDLEA is therefore contesting Justice Idowu’s decision which held that the detention of the applicant for nine days, between October 12 and October 21, 2011, was “a flagrant abuse and infringement of his fundamental human rights.”

     

  • NDLEA arrests clearing agents at Lagos airport

    The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Ahmadu Giade, said that three clearing agents have been arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos for trying to export drugs.

    Giade said this in a statement issued on Thursday by Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, head of the agency’s public Affairs Unit, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju.

    He also advised clearing agents nationwide to properly know their customers, adding that the law would run its full course on them if they were found wanting.

    Giade said the three agents arrested were workers of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), adding that they were apprehended for attempting to smuggle two consignments of methamphetamine on an Emirates flight to Malaysia.

    He added that the drugs, weighing 36.44kg, were concealed in foodstuffs and laptop bags, declared as personal effects by the consignor.

    “Following the discovery of the drug, we arrested three clearing agents and they are currently being interrogated.

    “The total weight of methamphetamine found in both packages is 36.44kg. The first consignment of methamphetamine hidden in garri, dry fish and yams, weighed 6.95kg, while the second weighing 29.48kg was hidden in laptop bags, “ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the NDLEA chairman as saying in the statement.

    Giade said the agents were expected to take necessary precautionary measures, such as knowing their customers and checking any consignment for shipment.