8th April, 2015
Jeff Ezemadu
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at Seme border has stepped up its war against drug traffickers following the arrest of some suspects and seizure of hard drugs at the border between Nigeria and the Republic of Beinin.
Cosequently, the new Commander of the agency in the area, Mr. Udotong N. Essien has warned all those that use Seme Border route to peddle illegal drugs to desist henceforth they will be arrested.
Essien issued the warning while addressing journalists in his Badagry office, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, on Wednesday.
While showcasing his achievements since he assumed office on 23 January, 2015, he said that the NDLEA under his command will construct a wall too high for them to climb.
‘’The drug war under me must be won because our intelligence network now spreads across our boundaries. So there is no hiding place for them,” he warned.
Within the short period of his resumption, the command has arrested eleven suspects and seized 53.41 kilograms of cannabis sativa otherwise known in local parlance as igbo or marijuana imported from Ghana and the sum of $23,915 (USD).
The suspects arrested are Chinedu Uzokwe, Haruna Sikiru, Esther Etafor, Emeka Kalu Otah, Uba Chukwu, Emeka Silas, Abdullahi Ahmadu, Iliya Kura, Kamorudeen Jimoh Apena, Chinedu Gabriel Eze, Jones Abraham Chinenye and Damola Obembe.
According to him, all the suspects have been charged to court. Only three have been so far convicted to various terms of imprisonment while the rest await their sentences.
He said five drug dependent persons were counselled on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
Essien dedicated the success so far recorded to God Almighty, the chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, the traditional rulers in the area who assisted them in mobilising youths to arrest a suspect who escaped into the village for refuge and the commitment of his officers.
Apart from collaborating with all other agencies at the border, especially the Nigeria Customs Service, NDLEA also collaborates with other foreign agencies like the West African Joint Operation (WAJO).
Commenting on Nigeria’s rating before now, he said the country was rated No. 1 in Africa as a drug trafficking nation “but through the untiring successes recorded by the organization, our name is no longer just in that list but seen leading the war against this menace.”
Showing journalists the drug seizures, the officer in charge of operations, Muhammed Aminu explained the mode of concealment of the drugs.
Some of them were concealed in Golden Penny Noodles carton, Dangote Cement sack, school bag, polythene bag, detergent carton and brown envelopes.