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  • NDLEA destroys cannabis plantation worth over N1.5bn in Kogi state, arrests suspects

    NDLEA destroys cannabis plantation worth over N1.5bn in Kogi state, arrests suspects

    Men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed a cannabis plantation worth over N1.5bn in Kogi state.

    The state commander said he is shocked by their discovery.

    The farms worth over N1.5 billion was located at Agba-Okete community in Igalamela-Adolu Local Government Area of the state.

    Kogi Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Alfred Adewunmi who spoke to newsmen on Tuesday evening after storming Kara forest with 80 NDLEA personnel and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said officers under his command discovered an entire community in the Eastern part of the state where cannabis cultivation is their major source of livelihood.

    He said;

    “I tell you that I am really perplexed, and shocked that something as huge and enormous as this can be discovered in Kogi State.

    “Our assumption had been that Kogi State, even though surrounded by some States that are notorious in Cannabis Sativa cultivation, was simply a transit point because of the strategic location of the State.

    “However, to discover that within Kogi State we can have a plantation of this huge proportion is something that I must tell you has shocked me to my bone marrow.

    “it is a very enormous plantation of Cannabis Sativa. It is not just a farmland. All of you have been in my entourage and we have walked within farms which is over four kilometers and are still within the farm. We started this operation since 10 in the morning.

    “It is about 5:55pm. To begin to describe what I have seen today is to simply tell you that it will be a great deception to tell you that Kogi state is not being used as a place were cannabis sativa is cultivated.

    “How will a whole community be cultivating cannabis sativa? Are we saying there is no legitimate business out there that would fetch them income? They dedicated about 4KM of their arable land to the cultivation of cannabis sativa. It is indeed worrisome and alarming.

    “We have to muster five times the resources we have deployed today to achieve this great task. Here we have more than 80 officers of NDLEA, NSCDC, and to ensure that this over 40 hectares of cannabis farms land is totally destroyed”

    The suspect, Ameh Joseph however said he was the owner of a section of the farms and not the entire farms, stressed that he only ventured into the business when he had an economic crisis.

  • NDLEA clarifies stand on drug integrity test for intending couples

    NDLEA clarifies stand on drug integrity test for intending couples

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has clarified its statement on ‘drug integrity test’ for intending couples.

    This was contained in a statement released by the Head of Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr Jonah Achema on Saturday in Abuja.

    Achema said that what the agency proposed was totally different from what was reported.

    The NDLEA PRO said that the clarification became necessary following the report circulating in the media that the agency was to conduct a drug test for ladies before marriage.

    Recall that a report had been circulating on social media by an online publication that the NDLEA would conduct a drug integrity test for ladies before marriage.

    According to Achema, the attention of the NDLEA has been drawn to the barrage of reactions to a report by an online publication.

    “This in which was wrongly credited to the Chairman, NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (Rtd) on proposed drug integrity test for intending couples by religious organisations.

    “The report’s mischievous headline is that NDLEA is to test ladies for drugs before marriage. Whereas in the body of the report, there was no place NDLEA chairman was quoted as saying so.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, what the chairman said was that as an extension of drug integrity test policy in public service, NDLEA is also considering partnering with the religious leaders.

    “This consideration is to make drug test prerequisites for marriage in churches and mosques as in the case of HIV/AIDs and Genotype tests.

    “It therefore smacks of cheap chauvinism of one to manipulate statements meant for intending couples to mean ladies as if ladies is a generic term for the marriage institution or intending couple,” Achema said.

    He stated further that the propriety of targeting the family of effective drug control was not debatable adding that most drug problems complicate the family institution, leading to broken homes and poor parenting.

    He said that it was the dutiful thinking of NDLEA to involve religious organisations to persuasively engage intending couples to ascertain their drug use status.

    This he said was considered so as to seek help where necessary before marriage in order to promote public health within the context of the agency’s drug preventive strategy.

    “Making it a women affair is trivialising the issue and trying to engender discrimination which is far from the intention of the gender friendly NDLEA.

  • Police arrest 21-year-old drug dealer, recover N400,000 bribe

    Police arrest 21-year-old drug dealer, recover N400,000 bribe

    The arrest of a 21-year-old suspected drug dealer identified as Babayo Yahaya has been confirmed by the Gombe state police command on Thursday.

    WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the suspected drug dealer has been supplying illicit drugs in Gombe and its environs for the past 2 years.

    This was contained in a statement released by the police public relations officer in the state, SP Mary Obed Malum.

    The commissioner of police, CP Ahmed Maikudi Shehu disclosed that the suspect was arrested on September 14 by officers attached to the Low-Cost Divisional Police Station and the suspect was arrested based on credible information.

    The suspect was arrested in Pantami quarters of Gombe metropolis with substances suspected to be hard drugs, where ‘upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a dealer of such illicit substance for about 2 years with Gombe and its environs.’

    ‘Search conducted on him and his premises, lead to the recovery of 107 bunch of Tramadol Capsules, 50 sachets of Exole Tablets, N400,000 used to bribe the police.’

    Explaining that the case would soon be transferred to the State Command of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution, CP Maikudi stated that the suspect claimed to be purchasing drugs from one Ebuka Chimeze of Onitsha town in Anambra state.

    The police had also arrested 3 suspected criminals said to specialise in motorcycle snatching in the state. According to Malum, who paraded the suspects before newsmen, the three suspects belong to a 6-member gang.

    She said an investigation is ongoing to arrest the three others who are the run and that they would be charged to court for the prosecution: ‘That is as they confessed to the crime,’ she told newsmen.

    One of the suspects confess to taking part in the crime they were suspected of. He said one Abubakar and other members of the gang gave him motorcycles to ride to Lafiya Lamorde in Adamawa state for sale. And that he was given N15,000 and N20,000 as a commission for two stolen motorcycles.

  • Kill me rather than destroy my cannabis farm – Suspect begs NDLEA in Kogi

    Kill me rather than destroy my cannabis farm – Suspect begs NDLEA in Kogi

    Clement Akor, a suspected cannabis sativa farmer, has cried out and pleaded with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA to take his life rather than destroy his 10-hectare cannabis plantation.

    Akor, a 42 years old father of six children from Enabo village in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State was arrested by the Kogi State Command of the NDLEA alongside his accomplice David Ameh.

    Akor who claimed he had invested so much in the business and cannot afford to lose it to the arms of the law said he learnt the trade in Owo, Ondo State.

    The prime suspect who cried profusely to stop men of the NDLEA led by its commander Alfred Adewumi from destroying his farm located in Oketepe in Okula community in Ofu Local Government of Kogi State said he would rather die than watch the officers destroy what he had worked hard for in the last one year.

    He noted that he is aware of the law banning the sale of cannabis sativa insisting that it is business which must be followed with risk.

    His words” I am the owner of this farm. I learnt it in Yoruba land. When I cultivated one last year, it was stolen. So it is this year that I bought seed from Yoruba land to plant new ones before I was caught.

    “Indian hemp business is luck. In this farm, I can get many bags here. I do sell one bag for N20,000 depending on the area I am selling it. It could be more. I spent N12,000 for labour in cultivating this farm. It better you people kill me than destroy this farmland.

    Kill me rather than destroy my cannabis farm – Suspect begs NDLEA in Kogi
    “This is my business. I spent a lot to allow this plant to grow up to this level. In the next two weeks, I am supposed to harvest it. Now you people have come here to destroy it. Just kill me, so that I won’t see you people destroying what I have laboured for. I am looking for money because I am illiterate. I don’t want to engage in armed robbery or kidnapping that is why I am into this business of Indian hemp”.

    His action forced the NDLEA commander Alfred Adewumi to calm him down insisting that the war against illicit use of drugs is on course in Kogi State.

    Addressing journalists on Wednesday, shortly after the destruction of the large cannabis farm, the Kogi State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Alfred Adewumi lamented the increasing wave of illicit use and cultivation of cannabis sativa in the state.

    Adewumi stated that the two suspects were caught through intelligence gathering by officers of his command.

    The commander noted that the latest breakthrough in the fight against illicit use of drugs in Kogi State is coming three days after the command arrested the duo of Endurance Samson and Abah Sunday for alleged possession of 36.2 kilogrammes wrap of cannabis sativa.

    “Seeing, they say is believing. What you are seeing today is certainly more than three football fields put together. I would let you make your judgment. Just look around, that is the huge expanse. We just left the first farm which is equally a huge cannabis plantation.

    “This is very unfortunate. I am worried about this unfortunate development. I have thought that Kogi State will not descend to this point. As things stand today, it will be direct self-denial to begin to say that Kogi state is not planting cannabis sativa because the evidence itself suggests the fact that there is high planting of cannabis sativa in Kogi State. Sadly Kogi State can also now begin to rank among those states where you find cannabis sativa plantations.

    “We will not relent in fighting against illicit use of drugs that is why we took the fight to their doorstep. Kogi State is the gateway to other states in the north, south, east and western parts of this country.

    Adewumi said all the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

  • NDLEA intercepts 607 cartons with over 11m tramadol tablets

    NDLEA intercepts 607 cartons with over 11m tramadol tablets

    607 cartons containing 11,785,800 tramadol tablets have been intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.

    This was disclosed by Mr. Jonah Achema, the spokesperson of the NDLEA while addressing newsmen on Wednesday, August 26.

    Achema also revealed that the Chairman of the agency, Muhammad Abdallah said the interception and investigation were with the assistance and cooperation of the Customs Area Command, Apapa.

    Abdallah said;

    ‘This was discovered in another container number TCNU 9465832 belonging to the same suspect transferred to NDLEA by the Police.

    ‘This is making it 3 containers used to carefully conceal illegally imported tramadol and other medicines to Nigeria.’

    NDLEA’s chairman also noted that the recent discovery of more tramadol using the same route from Pakistan Asia – Hamburg, Europe – Nigeria showed the dynamic system of operation by the drug cartel to beat security operatives.

    In a related story, WITHIN NIGERIA reported that Drug test has been considered for single ladies in Nigeria before their marriage.

    The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mohammed Mustapha Abdalla, revealed this on Friday during the destruction of illicit substances seized in Maiduguri, Borno state capital.

  • NDLEA considers drug tests for ladies before marriages

    NDLEA considers drug tests for ladies before marriages

    Drug test has been considered for single ladies in Nigeria before their marriage.

    The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mohammed Mustapha Abdalla, revealed this on Friday during the destruction of illicit substances seized in Maiduguri, Borno state capital.

    Abdalla said drug tests may have to be included in premarital screenings due to the increase in the rate of drug addiction among girls and married women across the country.

    He also said the target of illicit trafficked drugs, which hitherto used to be among the male youthful population, was fast expanding to now include teenage girls, young women, and old married women.

    “As an extension of the proposed Drugs Integrity Test Policy in the public service, the NDLEA is also considering partnering with religious leaders to make drug test a prerequisite for marriage in Churches and Mosques just as the case of HIV/AIDS and genotype test, the NDLEA boss said.

    “We can no longer remain indifferent to the problems and refused to take responsibility in an effort to control drugs, we must come to term that drugs issue is a shared responsibility for all in the society.

    “Government at all levels, community and religious leaders, parents, social workers, the media, youth organisations and policy makers should see it as a point of duty to come together and identify with our office efforts of combating drug abuse.”

     

  • Police intercept 40-foot container filled with Tramadol and Codeine in Lagos

    Police intercept 40-foot container filled with Tramadol and Codeine in Lagos

    A 40-foot container filled with drugs suspected to be Tramadol and Codeine has been intercepted by police officers in the Apapa Area Command of Lagos State.

    WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the container was intercepted on water and taken to a bonded terminal in Apapa.

    It was further learnt that a team of officers from Customs and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) joined the Area B Commander, Olasoji Akinbayo for inspection on Thursday, August 6.

    The intercepted container is expected to be handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

    See Photos:

    Police intercept 40-foot container filled with Tramadol and Codeine in Lagos

    Police intercept 40-foot container filled with Tramadol and Codeine in Lagos

    Police intercept 40-foot container filled with Tramadol and Codeine in Lagos

    In a related story, WITHIN NIGERIA reported that the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Imo State, says it has intercepted, arrested and seized a registration numberless truck bearing the inscription Gini Ka Chukwu and allegedly carrying illegal and dangerous items worth Duty Paid Value of N9,620,000.

    The items included Italian-made magnum data pump action of eight rounds, 200 set of military camouflage, 4,375 pieces of live ammunition, 1,160 packets of codeine and over 300 pieces of Tramadol among others.

    Briefing journalists at the FOU, Zone C headquarters Owerri on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Kayode Olusemire, stated that intelligence officers in the unit tracked the truck.

     

  • Tramadol abuse is fuelling insurgency in North-East, NDLEA Chairman reveals

    Tramadol abuse is fuelling insurgency in North-East, NDLEA Chairman reveals

    The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Muhammad Abdallah on Thursday, June 25 has disclosed that the insurgency witnessed in the North-East region of the country is fuelled by tramadol abuse.

    This disclosure was made by the NDLEA boss ahead of an International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking scheduled for June 26 with the theme “Better Knowledge for Better Care”.

    While calling for a unified stance on the fight against drug abuse, the NDLEA boss revealed that tramadol is the most abused opiate in the country.

    Abdallah said;

    “The government of India has upped its ante; they have now put more control on the supply of tramadol to Nigeria. 

    “Tramadol, if I will explain a little bit more, for normal medicinal dosage is between 50mg and 100mg. But the ones we have seen in Nigeria range from 200mg to like 500mg. Even a horse will be deadbeat by the time it takes that.

    “But that is what Nigerians have been taking. That is what fuels insurgency in the north-east, because theatre commandants have testified to me that every Boko Haram camp they have overrun, they found paraphernalia of drug abuse, particularly tramadol.

    “The whole average of drug abuse in nations is 5%. In Nigeria, it is getting to 15%. That is not a data or a statistic we should be happy with.”

    He further revealed that the federal government has taken some steps in addressing the challenges faced in the fight against drug abuse, and this include authorizing an upgrade on the staff strength of the agency.

    Abdallah added;

    “On the part of the government, it has taken some steps to ameliorate some of the deficiencies of the agency. For a start, Mr President has authorised an upgrade on the staff strength of the agency. 

    “A staff strength of 5,000, without being told, is not a staff strength that can fight drugs the way it should be fought in Nigeria.

    “Let me just mention three local governments – you know Mushin in Lagos, you know Fagge in Kano or even Nyanya in Abuja; I could deploy all of that strength to these places including me and there will still be some loopholes for trafficking and abuse to go on.

    “That is why the president has approved the upgrade in phases. Following this will be logistics and equipment which come naturally with the upgrade of personnel.”

  • PHOTOS: NDLEA dismantles first-ever hashish oil lab in Lagos, recovers drugs and bullets

    PHOTOS: NDLEA dismantles first-ever hashish oil lab in Lagos, recovers drugs and bullets

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed a clandestine laboratory for the production of Hashish Oil.

    It also recovered 13 rounds of live ammunition with other drugs and substances in Lagos.

    NDLEA spokesman, Jonah Achema, made this known in a statement on Friday.

    Hashish is a drug made from the resin of the cannabis plant and it is consumed by inhaling from a small piece, typically in a pipe, bong, vaporizer or joint, or via oral ingestion.

    The hashish clandestine laboratory was the first ever to be discovered by the agency as it had always uncover other drugs and substances.

    It was located in an apartment on No. 7, Imam Augusto Close, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Achema confirmed that investigation started before the COVID-19 and that the NDLEA had only uncovered methamphetamine.

    The agency arrested one suspect (name withheld) in the course of the operation code-named Hash-Caste.

    Achema stated that the suspected owner of the laboratory engaged in indoor growing of cannabis sativa and processing same into hashish oil through extraction.

    The suspect is a graduate of the University of Southern Denmark with a degree in Electronic Engineering.

    “Aged 42, the suspect claimed to have been pushed into the hydroponic cannabis growing and Hashish Oil extraction following the collapse of his Inverter, Metering and Solar Installation Company in 2019.

    “He said he noticed that there is so much money to be made in view of the high demand for Hashish oil in the international market as a curative medicine for cancer,” the statement read.

    The expansive premise was well fortified with protective dogs and himself well armed, ostensibly to put up resistance from the suspected onslaught of law enforcement agencies.

    Several drug exhibits were recovered which include 911 grams of Cannabis seeds, 21 Kilograms of Cannabis infused Ethanol, 83 grams of Hashish Oil 123mg THC-70 CBD.

    1.127 Kilograms of Cannabis Cream, 80 grams of fresh Cannabis plant and 25 grams of dried Cannabis plant were also recovered.

    Other items found in the active laboratory are: 500 grams of Potassium Hydroxide Pellets, Propyl Alcohol and one product of Berreta 92 Pistol (a short gun) with thirteen (13) rounds of live ammunition.

    “500 grams of Sodium Hydroxide Pellets, distilled water, Water Aspirator Vacuum Pump, round bottom flasks, Citric Acid, PH Meter, Retort Stands, Distillation Flasks, Printer, wireless wifi, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).

    “Two vehicles belonging to the suspect were seized as they were suspected to have been acquired from the proceeds of illicit drug trade. Also detected are two bank accounts belonging to the suspect and one jointly operated by the suspect and his mother,” Achema added.

  • Illegal arms dealers who sell ammunition for N500, arrested in Bauchi State

    Illegal arms dealers who sell ammunition for N500, arrested in Bauchi State

    Operatives of the Bauchi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested some illegal arms dealers who  ammunitions for as low as N500.

    WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the suspects identified as Dung Bulus Rwang and Dachollum Yohanna were arrested with 1,360 rounds of live ammunition of 7.6mm calibre during a motorised patrol along Bauchi-Jos Road.

    It was also learnt that An AK- 47 magazine was found in the commercial Vectra car the suspects were using to convey the ammunition.

    Reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officer of the NDLEA in the state, Jonah Achema disclosed that the suspects who neatly concealed the ammunition in two sacks which were kept in the boot of the vehicle have already admitted ownership of the consignment they were conveying from Numan in Adamawa State to certain buyers in Plateau State.

    It was further gathered that they confessed to being in the illegal arms business for a long time. Yohanne who disclosed that each of the ammunition was to be sold for ?500 only, said;

    “It is a business for us. Things are really hard in this country and we need to sell these items so that we put food on the table for our families.”

    While speaking with journalists on the incident, the Bauchi State Commander of NDLEA, Segun Kolawole Oke disclosed that the suspects and exhibits would be handed over to the Bauchi State Police Command for further investigation.

    Oke said;

    “The origin of the arms and the destination are both areas with rampant misuse of weapons. We therefore cannot take this issue of arms trafficking lightly.”