Crimes and Justice in Nigeria

NDLEA arrest 87,813 suspected drug traffickers, Impounds 3,582,563.072kg of hard drugs .

By Patience Ogbo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized over 3million illegal drugs in the last ten years.
This was disclosed by the NDLEA Chairman Mr.Ahmadu Gaide as the country joins the world to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on June 26.
Mr. Gaide said between 1990 and 2013 the anti-narcotic agency made a total drug seizure of 3,582,563.072kg with the apprehension of 87,813 suspected drug traffickers.
He added that out of this number, 82,295 are males while 5,518 are females.
"Cannabis has the largest chunk with 3,403,041.41kg. Psychotropic substances are next with 155,626.207kg, cocaine 20,601.123kg and heroin 3,294.462kg.
A total of 23,733 cases were also won for the period under review”. Mr. Gaide stated.
The NDLEA boss said that Nigeria has made significant progress in countering drug trafficking.
The United Nations through resolution 42/112 on December 7, 1987 dedicated every June 26 as World Drug Day. The 2014 theme is A Message of Hope: Drug Use Disorders Are Preventable and Treatable.

According to Giade, “Nigeria has recorded impressive results in the fight to eliminate illicit drugs from the country. The NDLEA between

The NDLEA boss noted that the scorecard clearly demonstrates Nigeria’s readiness and leading role in securing the country from the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse. “Our first line of action in preventing drug is to cut off supply. Daily arrests, seizures of drugs and convictions have led to the dismantling of many drug trafficking syndicates in the country. Imagine the incalculable damage that 3.5 million kilogrammes of narcotics would have done to our youth population if the Agency had not taken these illicit drugs out of circulation” the NDLEA boss stated.

Giade also paid tribute to officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty. “In spite of the daunting challenges, NDLEA officers have continued to launch attacks on drug criminal gangs. The exceptional spirit of dedication, courage patriotism demonstrated by officers is commendable. Many have paid the supreme price as casualties during raid operations yet the enthusiasm to have a drug-free society has never abated” Giade assured.

Just two weeks ago, three NDLEA officers lost their precious lives during a deadly confrontation with drug traffickers at Owode, in Ogun State. As the dust finally settled, Bolaji Owolodun, Rabiu Usman Kazaure and Ishaku Joshua were found to have joined other fallen heroes bringing the number of casualties to over a hundred since the Agency began operations in 1990.

In his reaction, Giade said that “the Agency will immortalize all the fallen heroes. We shall dislodge drug trafficking syndicates and doggedly pursue the noble course for which they died. Every opposition is a motivation for us to intensify the tempo of attacks on drug barons. We shall continue to improve working condition of officers. Increase in salaries, provision of logistics, regular training and prompt payment of allowances shall continue to receive priority attention”.

The Agency has made great strides by building partnership with local and international stakeholders. In 2013, a vetted Special Operations Unit was established in partnership with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA). This Unit is to undertake high profile covet investigations and operations.

The Agency enjoys a robust working relationship with the United Kingdom, Germany, France and South Africa just to mention a few. This has facilitated the frequent exchange of intelligence, training programmes and joint operations. Three important control delivery cases were coordinated between the Agency and the National Crime Agency of United kingdom. Similarly, two persons, Lawrence Oke and Rafiu Koforowola a.k.a. Elele/Professor were extradited to the United States on drug related charges.

The Murtala Muhammad International Airport Lagos was linked with other international airports around the world under a Special Airport Communication Project. This development is supported by the Nigerian Government, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Canadian Government, European Union, United States, INTERPOL and the World Customs Organisation.

A European Union funded project aimed at supporting Nigerian government’s efforts in the fight against illicit drugs and other organised crimes was flagged off in 2013. This project will help to carry out research on the extent of drug production and drug use, enhance capacity to address organised crimes as well as manage drug treatment and rehabilitation. The project will help to reposition the Agency for greater challenges in the days ahead.