Crime

Ogun Customs Seizes N102m Worth of Cannabis Sativa, Hands Over to NDLEA

By Web News 958

In Ogun State, the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted and delivered a consignment of Cannabis Sativa, worth more than 102 million naira to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The substances, packed in 319 sacks, 476 wraps in book sized packages and 96 coconut size wraps were handed over to the NDLEA Commander Mr Ishaku Kwajafa in Abeokuta, by the Customs Area Controller, Ogun One Command, Mr Bamidele Makinde.

Mr Makinde explained that the handing over, approved by the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali, Retired, was in line with the respect for each agency’s statutory functions and to further strengthen the synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA.

Responding after taking possession of the Cannabis Sativa, the State NDLEA Commander, Mr Kwajafa, who appreciated the seizure, said the intervention of the Customs operatives had saved the society of the dire consequences of allowing the contraband to find its way into circulation.

He described the seizure as a very huge achievement and called for more collaborative efforts among relevant agencies to promote a peaceful society.

Officials of the NDLEA later carried out tests on the content of the sacks and confirmed that it was cannabis sativa before evacuating the seized items to their office.

Olusegun Folarin

Crime

Police Nab Indian Hemp Farmers in Ogun

By Web News 603

Operatives of Ogun State Police Command have uncovered a large expanse of land used for planting Indian hemp and arrested seven suspects in Lokuta village in Remo North local government area of the state.

-The suspects, Nelson Enu, Patrick Emmanuel, Samuel Paul, Ekioya Joe, Monday Okoro, Endurance Eliobe and Stanley Ogejiagba were all arrested following a tip-off that the suspects have cultivated a large expanse of land for the purpose of planting the Canabis Sativa at Lokuta village.

The Command’s spokesman, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi said in a statement that suspects were allegedly threatening the villagers for daring to disturb them while the planting was going on.

Mr Oyeyemi explained that the DPO, Isara Division, Mr Shobiyi Oluwatosin mobilized his men in conjunction with local vigilante to the scene where the seven suspects were arrested.

He listed the items recovered from the suspects to include five bags of suspected Indian hemp seeds while two bags have already been planted.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Bankole has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for onward transfer to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for possible prosecution.

Olusegun Folarin

Crime

Court Grants General Overseer Arrested with Drugs N2m Bail

By Web News 472

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has granted bail to the founder and General Overseer of Christ Living Hope Church, Reverend Ekwem Emmanuel Ugochukwu, who was arrested with drugs at Lagos Airport.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency had arrested the cleric at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport while on his way to a three-week crusade in Nairobi, Kenya, with 54 sticks of drugs wrapped around his body.

The popular Preacher who has his church headquartered in Isuaniocha, Mgbakwu road, Awka, Awka North LGA, Anambra State, and two other branches in Lagos and Abuja, was arrested on Monday 7th March, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight to Nairobi via Addis Ababa.

Following his arrest, the NDLEA arraigned the suspect on a one-count of unlawful export of the banned drug and was first arraigned on 29th March.

The charge reads: “That you Ekwem Emmanuel Ugochukwu, male, adult, on or about the 7th day of March 2022 during the outward clearance of passengers of Ethiopia Airlines flight to Kenya at screening 1, Departure Hall of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja-Lagos, without lawful authority exported 40 grammes of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin, and LSD.”

In his ruling on Friday, the presiding Judge, Justice Daniel Osiagor, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety after his “not guilty” plea to a one-count and adjourned the trial to June 26.

Justice Osiagor ruled that the surety must be a Director in a Federal or Lagos State government establishment.

He remanded the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service till the perfection of his bail conditions.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Education

NOA Advises Youths Against Social Vices

By Web News 840

As parts of efforts to check the rising wave of social vices and re-awaken the moral consciousness of students in tertiary Institutions, the National Orientation Agency, NOA has embarked on the process of interfacing with Youths across the country.

Director General of the Agency, Dr Garba Abari stated this in a message at a sensitization forum against drugs abuse, irregular migration, human trafficking, cyber crimes and radicalization.

Represented by the Ogun State Director of NOA, Mr Christopher Obadina at the event held at the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Dr Abari who described the youths as the backbone and strength of any nation  advised them to embrace the core values for national development.

He explained that, the sensitization programme organized in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, IOM, would provide a veritable platform for continuous engagement with different stakeholders to proffer solutions to the challenges eroding moral values in the country.

Also, the Provost, Federal College of Education, Osiele Abeokuta, Dr Rafiu Soyele who identified social vices as deviant behaviours caused by forces that encouraged Individuals to rebel against social norms, required the collective efforts of Nigerians to make the campuses and the society peaceful.

Representative of the International Organization for Migration, IOM, Miss Blessing Omotor, promised that the body would continue to work hand in hand with other stakeholders to address the issues of moral decadence for national development and transformation.

The event was attended by students and  representatives of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Police, the National School Crimes Prevention Corps, NSCPC, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC, as well as Parents Teachers Association PTA .

Shirley Olatunji

Health

Peer Pressure Predisposes Youths to Drug Abuse –Expert

By Web News 457

Lack of parental guidance and peer pressure have been identified as factors contributing to the high rate of drug abuse in the country.

Osun State Commander, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Yomade Ogunbiyi stated this while speaking in an interview with Radio Nigeria.

Mr Ogunbiyi called on parents to be more active in the discharge of their responsibility and prioritize the well-being of their children above other things.

The NDLEA Commandant explained that the agency’s activities go beyond the arrest of culprits but to counsel, re-orientate and re-integrate drug addicts back into society.

He frowned at some people who abused drugs as a means of lowering depression, saying such practice would destroy them while the problem persist.

Mr Ogunbiyi admonished Nigerians especially youths to stay away from drugs in order not to jeopardize their future.

Temitope Adufe

Crime

Drug Trafficking: NDLEA Arrests 2 in Abuja

By Web News 1080

Two drug traffickers have excreted a total of 165 wraps of cocaine following their arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA for ingesting the illicit drug. The suspects whose names are Elvis Uche Iro, 53 and Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian, 42, excreted the drugs while under observation in the Agency’s custody.

The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi in a statement says,  53-year-old Elvis who is a father of four children hails from Abiriba, Ohafia local government area of Abia state.

 He was arrested on Saturday 19th March upon his arrival on board Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis-Ababa for ingesting 65 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.376kg.

Mr. Babafemi explained that, during preliminary interview, he claimed he is an interior decorator but had to go into drug trafficking because he needed money to start a coffee business, take care of his family and stock his newly acquired shop with curtain materials/accessories in Lagos.

He said he would have been paid One Thousand ($1,000) US dollars on successful delivery of the drug in Abuja.

Another passenger on the same flight, 42-year-old Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian was also arrested on arrival for ingesting 100 pellets of cocaine with a total weight of 2.243kg.

Mr. Ikenna who hails from Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra state claims he’s a businessman dealing in baby’s wears before venturing into drug trafficking.

During preliminary interview, he said he traveled to Addis Ababa on Thursday 17th March to buy the drug for Ten Thousand ($10,000) US dollars and returned on Saturday 19th March when he was arrested.

According to the suspect, he sold his land in his village and took loans from friends to be able to raise money to buy the drug.

He also claimed he had to go into drug to raise money for his business after being duped of Fifteen Thousand ($15,000) US dollars by his friend who lives in China.

In a related development, narcotic officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation, DOGI, have intercepted substantial quantities of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Cannabis sativa packaged for export to Australia, China, Qatar, Ireland and Thailand through some courier companies in Lagos.

While 2.9kg of Methamphetamine in packs of black soup and toner machine heading to Australia and Qatar was intercepted; 600grams of Cocaine concealed in school certificates and file folders going to Australia and Thailand were equally seized. No less than 25.5kg cannabis concealed in packs of Dudu Osun soap and tins of palm fruit extracts (banga) heading to China and Ireland was also seized at a courier company in Lagos.

Meanwhile, 2,293.324 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and Seven Hundred and Ninety One Thousand, One Hundred Naira (N791, 100. 00) were recovered in major raids by operatives in Ogun, Rivers and Enugu state in the past week.

In Rivers, operatives on Thursday 24th March raided the notorious Abuja Water Front of Port Harcourt City following information provided by arrested suspects, on their sources of supply.

A total of three suspects: Larry Samuel; Mark James and Happiness Joseph were arrested at the drug hub with 339.524kg of Cannabis Sativa, Methamphetamine and Tramadol seized and N791, 100.00 cash recovered from them while another drug dealer in the area Uduak Paul Emmanuel remains at large.

In Ogun, a 30-year-old lady, Peace Egidigbo, was arrested with 1863kg of Cannabis Sativa in Mowe, Obafemi/Owode LGA on Wednesday 23rd March, while no less than 150 blocks of cannabis weighing 90.800kg were seized from the cargo compartment of a bus owned by a transport company along Orji river via Onitsha express road, Enugu state.

Network/Nosa Aituamen

Health

Oyo Govt. Partners NAPPMED to End Illicit Drug Use

By Web News 1328

Oyo State Government alongside over five thousand members of the Nigeria Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), Ibadan Branch, have publicly declared their support for an end to dealing in illicit and controlled drugs.

The declaration was made at an awareness seminar organized by NAPPMED, with the support of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, who was represented by the Ministry’s Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Abdul-Fatai Oyedeji, said there was never a better time for all stakeholders in declaring an end to illicit drugs and dealing in control drugs.

Dr Olatubosun said the State government has been in the vanguard of creating awareness against drug abuse and would not relent in partnering with interested parties like NAPPMED in ridding the State of the menace of drugs and substance abuse.

The Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Ministry of Health and Chairman, Oyo State Drug Abuse Control Committee, Pharmacist Luqmon Akinwande who represented the State Commissioner for Health disclosed that the need to focus interest on eradicating drug abuse made the State institute a ‘Drug Abuse Control Committee’.

Speaking at the event, the State Commander of NDLEA, Abdullahi Saeed, said the seminar was important as it has been observed that drug abuse posed bigger challenge for the country in the area of its effect on rising security cases like banditry and insurgency among others.

The Head of NAPPMED in Ibadan, Alhaji Abdul-Kabir Ademola said the essence of partnering with NDLEA for the seminar was borne out of the realization that most crimes in the society, perpetrated by youths, have background their in drug abuse.

He added that because the over five thousand NAPPMED members were closer to the rural people within the eleven local government areas in Ibadan, it was pertinent to make the members see the dangers inherent in the drugs and substances as well as the legal consequences of dealing in the drugs.

Iyabo Adebisi

Judiciary

Abba Kyari’s Wife Slumps in Court

By Web News 1265

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned until the 28th of this month to rule on the bail application filed by the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and his co-defendants.

The Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned after taking arguments of the defence and prosecution counsel.

Justice Nwite also ordered that Abba Kyari and his codefendants be further remanded in the detention facility of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, until the adjourned date.

Meanwhile, the wife of the suspended DCP Abba Kyari, slumped at the Federal High Court shortly after the ruling on her husband’s bail application was adjourned untill the 28 of this month.

A lady who identified herself as her friend alleged that she was Asthmatic.

Kyari is facing an eight-count charge on drug trafficking alongside four members of his team and two drug smugglers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

FRCN, Abuja

Security

OYRTMA, NDLEA Collaborate to Tackle Drug Abuse

By Web News 713

Parents and guardians have been admonished to closely monitor their children and wards in order to curb the prevalence of drug abuse in society.

The Oyo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Abdullahi Saeed, gave the admonition when he paid a courtesy visit to the chairman of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency, OYRTMA, Mr Akin Fagbemi in his office at the Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

Mr Abdullahi urged OYRTMA to always alert the NDLEA whenever it apprehends accident vehicles that conveyed unlawful drug consignment in order to checkmate drug peddlers in the society.

Responding, OYRTMA boss, Mr Akin Fagbemi promised that the agency would intensify efforts at ensuring that drug traffickers and other related vices are gotten rid of in the state.

Mr Fagbemi stated that the collaboration between the law enforcement agency and OYRTMA would bring about more positive developments in the state.

The OYRTMA boss was given an ambassadorial award for his support to the NDLEA in the fight against drug abuse.

Iyabo Adebisi

Judiciary

Abba Kyari’s Co-Defendants Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking Charge

By Web News 391

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has produced the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, before the Federal High Court in Abuja for his arraignment on drug trafficking charge.

Kyari, who was brought before the court by armed operatives of the agency, is currently taking his plea to an eight-count charge that was preferred against him and six others.

Others in the dock with him are four other police officers- ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu, as well as two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

While Kyari, dressed in blue native attire, and his police Co-Defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge, the 6th and 7th Defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, pleaded guilty to the charge that was read to them before trial Justice Emeka Nwite.

Some of the charges against them, read; “That you, DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirigba and Inspector John Nuhu, all male, Adult on or about the 19th to 25th January 2022, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dealt in 17.55kilogrammes of cocaine without lawful authority and thereby committed an offence 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.

“That you, DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday J Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu, all male, all male, Adult on or about the 19th to 25th January 2022, within the office of the Inspector-General of (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves and with ASP John Umoru (now at large) to unlawfully tamper with 21.35 kilogramames of cocaine seized from Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwannne in the custody of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), by removing and disposing 17.55 kilogrammes of the cocaine and by substituting same with some other substance and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ACT CAP N30 Laws of the Federation 2004.

Vanguard

News

Court Declines Abba Kyari’s Plea for Bail

By Web News 498

 

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declined to order the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to release the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, who is currently in its custody, on bail.

In a ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo, fixed March 15 to hear the fundamental right enforcement suit Abba Kyari filed to query the legality of his arrest and continued detention.

Justice Ekwo held that Kyari’s application for bail was overtaken by events, noting that a sister court had already granted the NDLEA the permission to detain him for 14 days, pending the conclusion of its investigations..

Justice Ekwo said he would only hear the Applicant’s fundamental right suit after the expiration of his 14 days detention period.

The ruling came on a day the NDLEA sought the dismissal of Kyari’s suit for lacking in merit.

The agency denied the claim that it violated the Applicant’s fundamental rights, insisting that he was arrested and detained over his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The agency equally dismissed Kyari’s claim that his health had deteriorated while he is in its custody.

 

FRCN, Abuja

Security

Uromi Bank Robbery: Edo Govt Extols Citizens’ Synergy with Security Agencies

By Web News 595

The Edo State Government has extolled citizens of the state for the growing synergy with security agencies to ensure that the state remains unsafe for criminals.

Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Adaze Emwanta, who gave the commendation, urged more Edo youths to key into the community-driven security architecture of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration.

Emwanta said: “Every crime is local and this explains why Governor Obaseki has designed the state’s security architecture with community participation and inter-agency collaboration as the focus.

“For the first time in the history of our dear state, we have seen robust collaborations among the police, the military, vigilante groups, local hunters, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), members of the Public Works Volunteers scheme (PUWOV), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), community groups and individuals.

“Our youths in Uromi who rose to the occasion on the day of the robbery incident to block the escape route of the criminals deserve our praise for the rare act of courage they displayed.

“The robbers we learnt had to abandon some of the stolen money, vehicles and other items and fled the town on motorcycles.”

The commissioner added: “As a government, we are closing the gap between our people and government policies through a series of communication activities and we are seeing the result as demonstrated by our people in Uromi and elsewhere who liaise with the government and security agencies daily to keep our communities safe.

“One of the greatest legacies the Obaseki administration will leave behind is community ownership of the projects, policies and programmes that the governor and his team are delivering daily to Edo people and residents.
“We promised people-centric and community-driven governance and we are delivering exactly what we promised.”

As the police and other security agencies intensify search for the robbers, Mr. Phillip Ogbadu, the Edo State Commissioner of Police told journalists on Friday that about N37 million carted away by the armed robbers and five cars suspected to have been used by them were recovered at a bush where they were abandoned.

Adewumi faniran

Crime News

NDLEA Intercepts Fake 4.7 Million US Dollars

By Web News 1029

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have foiled attempt by a syndicate to push into circulation fake $4.7 million cash.

The amount which is about N2.7 billion was intercepted Friday last week in a consignment sent from Lagos to Abuja at Abaji area of the Federal Capital Territory.

Giving a breakdown of the fake foreign currency, the spokesman for the NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi says, a controlled delivery of the parcelled counterfeit US dollars totalling $4, 760, 000.00 led to the arrest of a principal suspect, 52-year-old Abdulmumini Maikasuwa.

The seizure according to him, followed intelligence received by the FCT Command of the Agency detailing the movement of the cash and the vehicle conveying it.

He disclosed that, the Chairman, NDLEA, Brig. General Buba Marwa (Retd) has directed that both the cash and the suspect in custody be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for further investigation.

The NDLEA Chairman, commended the officers and men of the FCT Command for their vigilance and preventing counterfeit $4.7 million from going into the streets.

He charged them and their counterparts in Adamawa, Kwara, Bauchi and others across the country not to rest on their oars.

Nosa Aituamen

Health

Police hand over DCP Kyari, others to NDLEA

By Web News 735

The police have handed over the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, and 4 other police officers to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Others arrested alongside Kyari include ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agrigba, and Inspector John Nuhu, while the fifth suspect, ASP John Umoru, is still at large.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed their arrest in a statement in Abuja, revealed that they were arrested for alleged links to an international drug gang.

They were arrested on Monday for their involvement in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, discreditable, unethical and unprofessional conduct, official corruption, and tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a perpetual transnational drug cartel, the police said.

He explained that the arrest of the officers was a sequel to pieces of information received from the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on 10th February 2022.

According to Olumuyiwa Adejobi, In line with the standard administrative procedure of the Force, the Inspector General of Police ordered a high-level, discreet, and in-house investigation into the allegations.

He said the interim investigation’s report revealed that two international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on the 19th of January 2022 upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917.

The force public relation officer noted that the arrest led to the recovery of a substantial quantity of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine from the two narcotic couriers.

He added that the operation which was intelligence-driven was undertaken by a unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

FRCN, Abuja

News

DCP Abba Kyari Arrested by Police

By Web News 827

The suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari, has been arrested by the Nigerian police.

According to the PUNCH he was arrested alongside four others on Monday.

Kyari was arrested hours after National Drug Law Enforcement Agency declared him wanted over alleged drug links.

The suspended DCP is also under investigation after the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America indicted him in the case of fraud involving Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.

A senior police officer at the Force headquarters said that Kyari was handcuffed and arrested like any other suspect.

“He has been arrested. He was handcuffed and will be handed over to the appropriate agency. He was not given any preferential treatment,” the police officer said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Force, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, also confirmed Kyari’s arrest.

He, however, did not give details, saying that a press release would be issued soon.

When asked to confirm Kyari’s arrest, Adejobi replied, “Yes and four others. A statement will be issued soon.”

The PUNCH

Health

BREAKING: NDLEA declares DCP Abba Kyari wanted over drug links

By Web News 839

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday declared suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, wanted over alleged links with an international drug cartel.

The spokesperson for NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, made the announcement during a short press conference held at its Headquarters.

The decision came amidst the Hushpuppi scandal.

Kyari, until his suspension by the commission, was the officer-in-charge of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team.

A report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America had earlier indicted him in the case of fraud involving Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.

Punch

Crime

Checking Growing Use of Hard Drugs among Teenagers

By Web News 1669

The upsurge in the use of hard drugs remains a source of concern globally because of its effect on users, their families and loved ones.

In this report, Labizat Oduntan looks at the growing use of hard drugs among teenagers in the country.

Last year, a video went viral showing a young man drenched by dirty water as he rolled about in drainage.

It was the outcome of taking a hard drug with the street name “Colorado”.

Other illicit substances and drugs in common use include cocaine, heroin, cannabis, tramadol, codeine and diazepam.

A 2021 report by Statista indicates that over 270 million people engage in substance abuse globally.

In Nigeria, a study reveals that a lot of commercial bus drivers, farmers, sex workers, secondary school students who are obviously in their teens and undergraduates are on hard drugs.

A 2021 statistic by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, buttresses the study, showing that forty per cent of youths within the age range of 18 and 25 years are deeply involved in the abuse of drugs.

Ready sources include drug markets, hawkers, fellow drug abusers, friends and drug pushers.

Two youths in Ibadan expressed their views on the use of drugs among their peers.

“Such youths became disoriented such that at that period he/she may not know who they are, it is not a necessary thing to take hard drugs because it will not solve the problem.”

While another youth recounted the experience of a friend who got entangled in the web of illicit substances. 

“I am citing an example of a friend of mine who was under the influence of codeine. He wasn’t about to enjoy himself for like 40-45mins. He was so unconscious and started acting strange.”

A medical doctor, Olanrewaju Shomoye who said illicit substances use was prevalent among young people, highlights their injurious effects and equally outlined other impacts besides mental and bodily harm.

“It affects the way one thinks, feels and behave generally, also affects the way other people the abuser, sometimes they become depressed.”

“It affects their finances. They are not able to keep money, they spend too much money especially people on crack cocaine. They will need to do a lot of things to get money. Sometimes they go into stealing sometimes they go into robbery.”

Dr Shomoye pointed out that medical lifelines such as psycho-social methods exist for people who fall prey to hard drugs.

Labizat Oduntan

Crime

NDLEA Destroys Over 24 Tonnes of Illegal Substances in Osun

By Web News 824

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Osun State has destroyed illicit drugs weighing 24.486 tonnes.

The Osun NDLEA Commander, Mr Yomade Ogunbiyi, told newsmen that various types of drugs including 24, 349, 024 kg of cannabis Sativa and 136,471kg of other psychotropic substances were seized and destroyed.

Mr Ogunbiyi explained that the destroyed drugs were exhibits from the court order of 2020, adding that since then, they have made huge seizures.

Describing Osun State as one of the cannabis-producing states in Nigeria, the NDLEA commander said a lot of cannabis farms were destroyed in years past, saying the agency continues to intensify efforts to ensure that the culture of cannabis production is totally eradicated in the state.

While urging the people of the state on the need to join hands with the agency in its bid to tackle drug abuse, the Osun State commander of NDLEA hinted that the agency will soon launch its own War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), a national program launched by the president during the June 26, 2021 celebration.

Earlier, in his address, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) commended the state command of NDLEA for work well done, saying the magnitude of drugs coming out of the farmlands was not a thing of joy.

Represented by the NDLEA Director Operations and General Investigation, Mr. Adeyemi Adeofe, General Marwa said the burning of over 24 thousand tons of various types of exhibits become necessary as its part of the efforts to reduce the crime rate in the society.

“If we have not seized and destroyed them now, they would have been taken to the society and some people would have consumed it and when they consume it, it would have a lot of negative effects in their central nervous system and their health”.

Adenitan Akinola

Security

IGP Calls For Collaborative Effort Among Security Outfits To Surmount Insecurity

By Web News 642

Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr. Usman Baba has stressed the need for collaboration among Security agencies in tackling the insecurity bedevilling the nation.

IGP Baba stated this during his working visit to the police headquarters Eleyele Ibadan, Oyo state. 

Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba said his visit to Police headquarters in Oyo state became imperative in order to know their level of operations and challenges being faced while discharging their civic responsibility. 

IGP Baba said the police could not work in isolation hence the need for them to build a solid harmonious relationship among the sisters’ agencies as they were all trained in different combat styles. 

He said for example, FRSC have better knowledge on vehicles, roads, while NDLEA,  immigrations and Customs were trained purposely for their special roles which would go along way in a collective efforts with the Police. 

IGP enjoined Police to partner southwest security outfits in southwest code named Amotekun, and shun any forms of rivalry to collectively rebirth Nigeria through a safe and secured Society. 

IGP Baba therefore called on officers and men of the Nigeria Police to be  professional and have a Change of Attitude to earn a reward for a good conduct from authorities. 

In an address of welcome, Commissioner of Police in Oyo state, Mrs Ngozi Onadeko said despite various challenges facing the command, it is recording breakthroughs in its operations. 

Mrs Onadeko stated further that the Command had taken back the the front seat in the matter of internal  security in Oyo state and has being able to reduce the crime rate to the barest minimum. 

The police Commissioner, thereby called for the unrelenting support of the Inspector General of the police to assist the Command to approve the return of the mobile units from Ibadan and Ago- Are on national assignment and deployment of more manpower to the State. 

Traditional rulers, Religious leaders, PCRC and other relevant stakeholders were present at the event.

Rasheedah Makinde

Health

War on Drugs: NDLEA Seeks Partnership Among Stakeholders

By Web News 786

National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has called for synergy and renewed efforts among stakeholders to strengthen the war against illicit trafficking and use of hard substances in the country.

The Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Retired Brigadier General Muhammad Marwa made the call in Abeokuta at a stakeholders’ meeting put together by the Ogun state command of the agency.

Olusegun Folarin who was at the Police Officers’ mess, Ibara, venue of the event, has the details.

Health

Oyo Speaker Advocates More Punitive Measures To Curb Drug Abuse

By Web News 588

Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin has described effective control of illicit drugs as a huge step towards ending kidnapping, banditry and other insecurity challenges facing the country.

Mr. Ogundoyin who spoke as a key note speaker at the symposium to mark the 2021 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking lamented the continuous rise of drug abuse among youths, 

He said the menace has become a serious public health concerns in the country.

According to him, lot of crimes committed by the youths and older offenders were committed under the influence of hard drugs. 

He charged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to advance sophistication in the war against hard drugs and trafficking of harmful substances like Opioid, Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin, Codeine, Tramadol, Blue Pills, Amphetamine, Colorado (also known as Black Mamba, Amsterdam, Gold, Devil’s Weeds, Mary Joy, Tai High,Legal High), 

Mr. Ogundoyin called on all stakeholders in government, individuals, parents, religious bodies, community leaders, NGOs and corporate organizations to support the fight against drug abuse and trafficking of illicit substances.

“Unfortunately, females are not left out of this menace. Thus, Implementation of more punitive measures to discourage this habit may be necessary at this stage. 

Mosope Kehinde

Lifestyle

International Day Against Drug Trafficking: Osinbajo Attends Premiere Of “The Silent Baron”

By Web News 802

Lending his support to the global campaign against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Friday evening attended the premiere of a movie titled “The Silent Baron”, a film produced by Mr Ifeanyi Ukaeru, in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to highlight the dangers of the abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.

Professor Osinbajo was accompanied by the Executive Chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd); the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, and other top government officials.

The movie premiere is part of activities marking the 2021 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking which falls on the 26th of June, every year. It is produced by Ekwe Nche Entertainment Ltd, the NDLEA, among other partners.

The movie features some internal challenges of agencies fighting drug barons and highlights how the couriers are recruited including by fooling ladies and their parents with false promises of taking the ladies abroad.

Starring some top Nollywood actors, the movie features the duplicitous life of a young man named Anselm, disguised as a foreign based professional who only visits Nigeria on short vacations.

He lures young ladies with gifts, alluring words and under false pretences as couriers for his illicit drug trafficking business.

In the end he was caught.

The movie brings to limelight, the commendable role of the NDLEA in the fight against drug trafficking especially at a time when the agency is aggressively exposing the menace with a significant number of arrests in the last couple months.

After watching the movie, a very delighted Vice President met some of the actors who were also present at the premiere, interacted briefly and took group photographs with the actors, movie producers and the production crew before departing from the event.

Laolu Akande,
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,
Office of the Vice President.
26th June 2021

Crime

NDLEA Intercepts Drugs Concealed in Statue of Mary

By Web News 775

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, embedded in two courier companies in Lagos have intercepted illicit drugs concealed in the statue of Mary and auto spare parts heading to Canada and the United Arab Emirates, UAE.

The narcotics agents from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations seized 500 grammes of heroin going to Canada and hidden inside auto spare parts from one of the courier firms while 140 grammes of Methamphetamine going to the Philippines and concealed inside a statue of Mary was seized in another courier company.

The Director, Operations and General Investigations, Adeyemi Adeofe disclosed that “3.1 kg of cannabis going to UAE concealed inside spices, and another kilogramme of cannabis going to UAE concealed inside local herbs were intercepted and seized.

In a related development, the Ondo State Command of the Agency has in series of raids between 6th and 20th April 2021, across the state arrested 31 suspects from whom 275.552kg of assorted illicit drugs were recovered.

According to the acting Commander of the state Command, Cally’s Alumona, “the sting operations were carried out to curb the increasing rate of drug abuse among the youths and even the elderly in Ondo State.” 

He said, “this has led to the arrest of 31 suspects, which include 24 males, and 7 females.”

 He added that the illicit drugs seized “consist of 74.285Kgs of cannabis Sativa, 267 grammes of psychotropic substances; 201Kgs of scrunchies (a combination of cannabis, tramadol, ethanol, and zobo), while many of the drug spots have been dismantled.”

Meanwhile, operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Agency have intercepted and seized 62.150kg of illicit drugs in the Oron and Uyo areas of the state. 

The state Commander of the NDLEA, Mrs Obot Bassey said four suspects were arrested in the sting two operations carried out on Thursday 22nd  and Friday 23rd April 2021.

FRCN Abuja

Crime

NDLEA Oyo Command Nabs Ninety-Five Suspects

By Web News 838

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Oyo State Command has arrested ninety-five suspects for various drug offences from January to March this year.

NDLEA Commander in Oyo State, Mrs Josephine Obi, who disclosed this to newsmen in Ibadan, said the drugs caught with the suspects included  sativa, tramadol, diazepam, cocaine, codeine and rohypnol.

Mrs Obi said the Command also recorded the seizure of 580.4024kg of cannabis and other narcotics and psychotropic substances worth over twelve million naira. 

She stated further that during the period under review from January to March this year, nineteen defendants were convicted for various drug offences while five clients are presently under rehabilitation at the Command’s residential rehabilitation centre.

The NDLEA boss in Oyo State noted that sensitization programmes to schools are ongoing and urged schools management and other organizations to give officers platforms to enlighten the students.

Mrs Obi therefore encouraged those whose children and wards are involved in drug abuse not to give up on them but rather to bring them to the NDLEA office for proper rehabilitation. 

The NDLEA State Commander stated further that reducing drug trafficking and abuse would go a long way in reducing crimes and insecurity in the state.

She thereby called on members of the public to give the Command necessary support to stop the menace that hard drugs constitute, especially by volunteering credible information on drug dealers in their environment to make Oyo State drug-free.

Rasheeda Makinde

 

 

 

Crime

Customs Partners Sister Agencies on Drug Trafficking

By Web News 1254

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, says it will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to rid the country of illicit drugs and harmful substances.

The Customs Area Controller, Ogun one command, Mr Peter Kolo stated this at Idi Iroko while handing over some dangerous substances confiscated by the command to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. 

Mr Kolo explained that 3,165 wraps cannabis sativa in coconut and book sizes with 290 sacks of the same product as well as 41 packets of tramadol capsules worth two hundred and thirty four million, four hundred and seventy seven thousand, eight hundred and sixty naira were intercepted by men and officers of the command.

He also announced that the command recorded seizure of 143 prohibited items with the duty paid value of 77 million, 4 hundred and 98 thousand, 1 hundred and forty million naira in the month of February.

Mr Kolo said the sum of three million, one hundred and thirty-five thousand, eight hundred and twenty thousand naira was realized as fees from the sale of seized petroleum products and auctioning of some scrap metals.

The Ogun one Customs Area Controller maintained that the command would not be distracted from performing its duties in spite of attacks on officers by daredevil smugglers and hoodlums.

Mr Kolo renewed the appeal on traditional rulers and community leaders to continue to educate the youths on the dangers of smuggling particularly the smuggling and consumption of harmful drugs.

Olusegun Folarin