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Tag: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

  • JUST IN: NDLEA Nabs Insurgents’ Drug Supplier, Pregnant Woman, 22 Other Suspects for Trafficking

    JUST IN: NDLEA Nabs Insurgents’ Drug Supplier, Pregnant Woman, 22 Other Suspects for Trafficking

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a total of 24 suspected drug traffickers and dealers during major interdictions in eight states across the country.

    Amongst those apprehended are; a 42-year-old man taking thousands of concealed opioid pills to insurgents’ enclave in Banki area of Borno State, a six-month-pregnant lady, a mother of three children and three other women.

    Their arrests led to the seizure of over 7,609 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs in Borno, Nasarawa, Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano, Ondo, Edo, and Lagos State.

    This was contained a statement made available to Thelensng by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi on Sunday.

    He said: “The bulk of the seizures was made in Nasarawa state where NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Sunday 4th February intercepted a truck marked Lagos JJJ 64 YC conveying 367 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 4,037 kilograms from Akure, Ondo state to be delivered at Shabu area of Lafia, the state capital.

    “Three suspects: Shuaibu Yahaya Liman, 35; Monday Audu, 33, and Linus Samuel, 42 have been arrested in connection with the seizure.

    “The following day Monday 5th February, operatives in Abuja, FCT arrested the duo of Jibrin Shuaibu, 23, and Prosper Innih, 17, with 169 bags and 80 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 1,961.5kgs concealed in a truck with registration number Ogun WDE 557 XC.

    “The truck was intercepted during a stop and search operation along Abaji – Abuja highway on their way from Uzeba to Dei-Dei, FCT”.

    In another operation by NDLEA operatives in Abuja on Tuesday 6th February 6, a suspect, Abdulhameed Dauda, 27, was arrested with 89kgs of the same psychoactive substance loaded into his truck in Owo, Ondo State to be delivered at Gwagwalada in FCT.

    On the same day, operatives also intercepted another driver, Hassan Ade, 30, transporting 696.5kgs of the same substance loaded in Idoani, Ondo State state to be delivered at Gwagwalada and Dei-Dei in FCT.

    A follow up operation led to the arrest of a mother of three children, Mrs. Joy Chukwuka, 42, linked with the consignment.

    In Ondo State, apart from the seizure of 633.5kgs of cannabis at Eleyere, Ogbese in Akure North LGA, NDLEA operatives also recovered 59 jumbo bags of same substance loaded in a truck marked GAD 287 XA heading to Northern part of the country.

    According to Babafemi, detergents were sprayed on the cannabis bags ostensibly to suppress the odour of the psychoactive weed, while 192 packs of table water were loaded on top to conceal the illicit consignment.

    He added that not less than 187kgs of same substance were seized by operatives at Sapele road, Benin, Edo State, while in Kano, NDLEA officers on Monday February 5, arrested 58-year-old Bashir Attahir in Bachirawa area of the state with 216,000 pills of tramadol 250mg.

    “Another suspect, Ejike Moses Nmenme, 47, was nabbed the following day Tuesday 6th Feb with 25,190 capsules of tramadol and different quantities of rohypnol and codeine syrup along Emir road, Sabon Gari area of the city while the duo of Yusuf Abdullahi Musa, 35, and Yusuf Musa, 28, were nabbed at Gadar Tamburawa, with 1,000 ampoules of tramadol injection on
    Thursday 8th February.

    ‘In Borno state, a 42-year-old suspected supplier of illicit drugs to insurgents in Banki, a border region between Nigeria and Cameroon, Ahmad Mohammed was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Friday 9th February at Bama check point.

    “When his luggage was searched 20,000 capsules of tramadol were recovered from him while on his way to deliver the opioid consignment in the border town.

    “A six-month pregnant woman, Amarachi Akaolisa, 25, and another lady, Ifeoma Iheanyi, 21, were among six suspects arrested for dealing in illicit substances in Oraifite and Umuni-Evili, Aguleri, Anambra state.

    “Others nabbed include: Okwuchukwu Chukwuka; Onyedika Ngwu; Ekene Hyginus and Nzomiwu Ikechukwu. Recovered from them were over 6 kilograms of cannabis, tramadol, diazepam and codeine syrup in raids conducted NDLEA operatives between Tuesday 6th and Thursday 8th Feb in parts of the state.

    “In Lagos, two ladies: Boluwatife Adebayo and Omolade Fola Adebayo were among suspects arrested during raids in parts of the state on Saturday 20th February.

    “While Ogah Sunday Adole and Boluwatife Adebayo were arrested at Agidingbi, Ikeja, in connection with 220grams of cannabis, 10.6 litres of codeine syrup, and other psychotropic substances, Omolade Fola Adebayo was nabbed at Ijesha with various quantities of cannabis, codeine syrup, rohypnol and molly”, the statement further read.

    The anti-narcotic agency’s spokesperson disclosed that Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities.

    Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture on Drug Use and Mental Health for students and staff of Oba Akinbiyi High School, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State; Owode Senior Secondary School, Owode Yewa, Ogun State, and Federal Science and Technical College, Awka, Anambra State.

    Others are Yusad Secondary School, Gashua, Yobe State; and African Church Grammar School, Ilesa, Osun State, as well as WADA advocacy visit to HRM Ochi’Idoma, Agaba Idu, Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John at his palace in Otukpo, Benue State and the Emir of Rano, HRH Amb. Muhammed Kabiru Inuwa in Kano State.

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the efforts of the Nasarawa, FCT, Ondo, Kano, Borno, Edo, Anambra and Lagos Commands of the Agency for jobs well done in the past week.

    He urged them and their compatriots across the country to always strive to surpass past feats in their drug supply and drug demand reduction efforts.

  • NDLEA Declares Ex-beauty Queen Wanted for Dealing in Illicit Drugs

    NDLEA Declares Ex-beauty Queen Wanted for Dealing in Illicit Drugs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared a former beauty queen wanted for dealing in illicit drugs.

    The suspect, Ms. Aderinoye Queen Christmas also known as Ms. Queen Oluwadamilola Aderinoye was Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Culture 2015/2016 and founder of Queen Christmas Foundation.

    Ms. Aderinoye was declared wanted by the Agency after she escaped from her Lekki, Lagos residence when NDLEA operatives raided her apartment at Oral estate, Lekki on Wednesday, January 24.

    The anti-narcotic agency spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said the raid of her apartment followed credible intelligence that she deals in illicit substances.

    Recovered from her home during the search witnessed by the estate officials include 606 grams of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, an electronic weighing scale, large quantities of drugs packing plastics, a black RAV 4 SUV marked Lagos KSF 872 GQ, and her picture frame among others.

    In another interdiction operation by operatives in Lagos same day, a 50-year-old Sunday Adediran, was arrested with 20kg cannabis sativa found in one of the rooms in his house at Mushin Olosha.

    Also, not less than 822 kilograms of cannabis sativa hidden in a fuel station located at Ashipa community along Badagry-Seme road were recovered by operatives of the Seme Special Area Command of NDLEA.

  • 15 Drug Kingpins Out of 3,412 Offenders Convicted in 2023 Bagged 168 Years in Jail – NDLEA Boss

    15 Drug Kingpins Out of 3,412 Offenders Convicted in 2023 Bagged 168 Years in Jail – NDLEA Boss

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has disclosed that a total of 15 drug kingpins out of 3, 412 offenders were successfully prosecuted in 2023.

    Gen. Marwa also revealed that they were all convicted and sentenced to 168 years imprisonment.

    According to a statement issued by the Agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi on Wednesday, the NDLEA boss made the disclosure while addressing commanders, officers and men of the Agency during awards and commendations ceremony at its national headquarters in Abuja.

    The event had in attendance 104 personnel and 13 commanders that were outstanding in discharging their duties in the second half of 2023, hence, they were duly recognized and rewarded.

    The NDLEA boss stated: “Indeed, our performance as individuals and as a collective could always be better; nonetheless, we must appreciate every effort made to help sustain the momentum of our upward trajectory since January 2021, when we launched the renewed fight against illicit substance trafficking.

    “According to our statistics, we recorded 13, 664 arrests leading to the seizure of 1, 606, 799.09 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and 3,412 convictions with a total of 5, 570 offenders charged to court in 2023. It’s indeed a year that at least 15 drug kingpins bagged 168 years of imprisonment collectively.

    “That is a substantial improvement over our performance in 2022. Notably, in 2023, we also ramped up our enforcement action against cannabis farms and carried out at least seven successful major operations, leading to the discovery and destruction of over 206 hectares of cannabis plantations”.

    He buttressed that to create awareness about the dangers of substance abuse aimed at prevention and encourage those already in it to seek treatment, the Agency intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy initiative nationwide.

    “The frequency and intensity of our advocacy throughout the year improved considerably. Zonal and state commands have been very dedicated to propagating WADA advocacy. As a result, a total of 2,725 sensitisation lectures and programmes were held in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others.

    “A breakdown of the WADA lectures held in 2023 shows: 807 in Primary/Secondary Schools; 146 in Tertiary Institutions; 488 for out of school children; 264 in worship centres; 140 in military/paramilitary organisations; 90 in other work places, among others. Just as well, our commands and formations have coped with the increased workload of counselling activities leading to the counselling and rehabilitation of 10, 904 drug user”.

    He noted that those who have been in the Agency longer than 2021 can attest to the fact that the past three years have brought different dynamics to the operations and performance of the agency – a development that has attracted commendations from home and abroad.

    His words: “This is further reinforced by the content of a letter two weeks ago from the National Assembly conveying the decision of the national parliament to ‘commend the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against illicit drug consumption and trafficking.’ This recognition by both Chambers of the National Assembly should serve as a further morale booster and a reminder that your efforts are not going unnoticed.

    “I must also say that the NDLEA management has no misgivings about instituting the Commands Awards and Commendations. This twice-a-year event, though a reward system, serves as an inward-looking glass for critical self-analysis and therefore a mechanism that puts the agency on its toes. Each time we gather here to honour exemplary officers and commands, we are making a loud statement that we value meritocracy and that hard work is a virtue we hold in high esteem. We are trying to normalise good performance”.

    Gen. Marwa vowed that he will not relent in his effort to improve the welfare of the Agency’s workforce.

    “All the issues we are working on will soon come to fruition in a matter of time. For instance, we fought hard to have an amended NDLEA Act last year. Today, the bill is at the 10th National Assembly receiving due attention, and we are optimistic that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. I am also pleased to inform you that our barracks projects have recorded progress. Before the middle of the year, some of our barracks will be ready for commissioning. These few examples of the efforts going on behind the scenes are evidence that we are working in your best interest”.

    Similarly, he warned that the Agency will be firm on disciplinary issues saying; “We don’t take infractions lightly. Every officer of NDLEA is expected to work within the ambit of our core values and strictly adhere to our standard operating procedure. We expect our officers to be the epitome of service, selflessness and sacrifice.”

    He further expressed gratitude to individuals and institutions that have contributed to the success of the Agency.

    “As an institution, we thank the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, for being helpful partners on this journey. We appreciate the support of our other international partners from the US, UK, France, Germany, and India among others.

    “We also appreciate sister agencies and security organisations, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Customs, Immigration, Police, DSS, NSCDC, NAFDAC, NYSC and FRSC, for the synergy that makes our job easy. Our profound gratitude also goes to the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Importantly, we thank His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his encouragement and immense support to NDLEA.”

  • Refurbished Forensic Lab’ll Enhance NDLEA Performance, Says Marwa

    Refurbished Forensic Lab’ll Enhance NDLEA Performance, Says Marwa

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said that the upgrade of the forensic laboratory of the Agency by the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) will enhance operational standard and optimal performance of NDLEA in its renewed fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

    Marwa who stated this at the commissioning of the Agency’s newly refurbished forensic laboratory in Lagos on Wednesday 10th January said “With this facility, we are now anticipating the provision of state-of-the-art analytical equipment, which will enhance optimal performance in line with standard operational laboratory procedures and best practices, which in turn will enhance evidence-based analytical processes in our forensic analysis.”

    The project was facilitated by INL and implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

    The NDLEA boss who was represented at the event by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi emphasized the importance of modern forensic laboratories to the successful fight against illicit drugs in the country.

    According to him, “Everyone who knows how pivotal a forensic laboratory is to drug investigations will share my sentiment.

    The forensic laboratory plays a critical role in the identification of drug exhibits, in the investigation of illicit drug manufacturing and the dismantling of clandestine laboratories. Ultimately, it reinforces the criminal justice system.

    “Given the current situation of illicit drugs in Nigeria, a forensic laboratory is sine qua non for any meaningful effort to stymie the problem. The reason is obvious. In three decades, Nigeria has grown from a transit country to a country that produces a farrago of new psychoactive substances, NPS, and a place where there is proliferation of clandestine laboratories, of which we have discovered and dismantled over 23.

    “Over the last three years that I have been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, there have been seizures of record quantities of illicit drugs, approximately 7, 590 tons. What is remarkable about these seizures is that they include not only substances already under national and international control but also an unexpectedly high number of new psychoactive substances and combinations of illicit drugs prepared by chemists working in clandestine laboratories. These substances, constituting over 10,000 exhibits, found their way to the forensic laboratory for confirmatory analysis and identification.

    “The poor infrastructure of our forensic laboratory translated into inadequacy to cope with the volume of work on ground. It is against this backdrop that INL intervened to sponsor the upgrading of the laboratory to a global standard and expand its capacity to cope with the challenging dynamics inherent in the analysis of new psychoactive substances, amphetamine-type stimulants, synthetic cannabinoids, and fentanyl opioids.”

    Marwa expressed appreciation to the US government for approving funding for the project, which encompasses: strengthening the forensic and chemical analysis capacity of NDLEA; upgrading the interrogation room and provision of an e-library for prosecution. He equally commended the UNODC for painstaking implementation of the project.

    He said some other benefits of the project so far include: the training of 20 NDLEA forensic analysts on drug identification and safe handling of synthetic opioids; provision of safety bags consisting of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); supply of 20 test kits for drugs and precursor chemicals for field identification; supply of laptops, desktop computer, and other ICT accessories among others.

    Speaking at the event, U.S. Consul General Will Stevens highlighted the ongoing security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria. His words: “The global opioid crisis calls for a coordinated, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary global response.

    The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to modernize this chemical forensic laboratory in Lagos.

    This $500,000 investment will ensure our Nigerian partners have the state-of-the-art equipment and training needed to identify and analyze suspicious substances and evidence collected from crime scenes and suspects. We appreciate Nigeria’s strong regional leadership and commitment to work with us to combat this growing threat.”

    In his remarks, Danilo Campisi, the UNODC Deputy Country Representative, commended the partnership with the United States INL and NDLEA, which he said “continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of these types of interventions, implemented by organisations like UNODC.”

    “In the course of the past 12 months of implementing the first phase of this project, which primarily consisted of the provision of technical assistance, equipment and capacity building”, he stated adding that the next phase of the project, which will be implemented over the course of the next 12 months “is an opportunity to consolidate the interventions which we commenced in the first phase and we look forward to continuing the tripartite partnership between UNODC, the US Government and NDLEA ensuring that criminal drug trafficking networks are dismantled and brought to justice.”