Connect with us

News

NDLEA Says Illicit Drugs were found in Senator Ashiru’s House, Aides ProsecutedInsists Criticism Borne Out of Vendetta

Published

on

NDLEA Says Illicit Drugs were found in Senator Ashiru’s House, Aides Prosecuted
Insists Criticism Borne Out of Vendetta

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has alleged that the house of Senator Oyelola Ashiru (APC Kwara South) warehouse illicit drugs, insisting that his recent attack of the agency was borne out of vendetta rather national interest.

The agency also alleged that some of the aides of the lawmaker were arrested in the raid on his residence and are currently being persecuted with one of them already sentenced to jail.

The agency made the revelation on Monday at its National Headquarters in Abuja
during a press briefing called to respond to a statement made by Senator Ashiru that “the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is corrupt and compromised…”

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by his spokesman, Femi Babafemi at the briefing, said the NDLEA is compelled to call this press briefing today because of an unfortunate development earlier last week during plenary in the Nigerian Senate when some uncomplimentary, unfounded, defamatory remarks were made against the Agency.”

Marwa said while acknowledging the great work of the Senate towards the upliftment of Nigeria and Nigerians especially their support for the ongoing concerted efforts towards the amendment of the NDLEA Act, the agency however said it is duty-bound to respond to the unprovoked attack against it by Senator Ashiru during his contribution to the debate on a new bill for an Act to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

He said the agency waited for a whole week hoping the lawmaker will clarify his position on such a weighty allegation against it but failing to do that, it is left with “no option than to come out and set the record straight for the benefit of other distinguished members of the Senate, our local and international partners as well as the general public.”

He added that: “There is no doubt that setting up another agency is within the power of the Senate and if we are invited to contribute to the debate we will be willing to offer our opinion. While we cannot fault the power of the Senate on that, yet for a member of the upper chamber to have made such an unfounded and unwarranted categorical statement against the agency led us to look inward to see what could have been responsible for such a carpeting general statement.

“What we found was shocking, and we concluded that his statement came from a place of vendetta and certainly not out of public interest or any altruistic motive.”

He revealed that: “The personal house of the senator in GRA Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, had been raided in recent past, where drugs and illicit substances were recovered while two of his aides: Ibrahim Mohammed and Muhammed Yahaya were arrested. Based on credible intelligence and surveillance which confirmed that the senator’s house was being used as a drug joint for drug dealers and users, the house was raided by our operatives at 1:30pm on February 4, 2024 during which the two aides were arrested, while a third suspect escaped arrest.

“In another encounter with the senator, the agency also received intelligence that some of his boys popularly known as “Omo Senator” operating from his home town, Offa, were equally dealing in illicit drugs. A raid was subsequently carried out on their joint in Offa where one of them, Oluwatosin Odepidan was arrested and illicit drugs such as methamphetamine and cannabis recovered from him on June 11, 2023.

“The bid to get the agency drop the case against Odepidan including a visit to the Kwara State Command headquarters of the agency in Ilorin by the Personal Assistant to the senator, one Omoluabi, was rebuffed as Odepidan was promptly charged to court and prosecuted. Though the culprit jumped court bail in 2023, he was rearrested in 2024 after the court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. He was eventually convicted and sentenced in June 2024.

“So, going by this backstory, it is deductible that these encounters that the agency has had with the senator, must have been responsible for his outburst, and unfortunately, false allegation, the type that nobody within and outside of government has ever levelled against NDLEA before.”

He noted that despite the impression Senator Ashiru was trying to create about its image, the NDLEA has continued to receive accolades from local and international bodies for its successes in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

He said: “Incidentally, the next day after Senator Ashiru made the statement, NDLEA in Lagos commissioned a new Marine Command Headquarters building donated by the Government of the UK. A similar facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport was donated last year by the same British government. We have had other facilities donated by United States INL and executed by UNODC in the past 12 months. We have been receiving various support from the governments of France, Germany and the US, among others.

“Suffice it to say that in the past three years, NDLEA has emerged as a regional leader among national drug law enforcement agencies. So, come to think about it, an agency so badmouthed by Senator Ashiru couldn’t have been attracting such international goodwill and commendation for being the “most corrupt government agency” in Nigeria.

“Against the background of our encounter with people linked to him, we are wont to believe that Senator Ashiru’s invectives against NDLEA were borne out of vendetta and not any opinion made in the public interest.

“As an agency, we have been professional in our activities and interactions with citizens as we carry out arrests daily. In the past three years, we have made over 52,000 arrests and got more than 9, 000 convictions, including three life sentences this year. And, as part of our mandate, we have engaged in over 7,000 awareness and sensitisation activities in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities; treatment and rehabilitation of more than 33,000 drug users including the last two persons arrested in the senator’s house; supported by governments, organisations and other stakeholders in the country and around the world.

“Outside this country, NDLEA has become a reference for drug law enforcement. Therefore, the statement by Senator Ashiru, made in the country’s hallowed chamber in the course of a legislative debate, and made to justify the creation of another agency is motivated by malice; it is a gross misrepresentation of fact; and it is defamatory to the image of NDLEA. We believe the well-meaning public; our stakeholders and our partners can see through such calculated mendacity.”
The NDLEA vowed it will remain undeterred by Senator Ashiru’s attack but will be relentless in ongoing effort to dismantle all illicit drug networks across the country including the one operating in the lawmaker’s house.

“So, if Senator Ashiru has a personal grudge against NDLEA, it shouldn’t be cloaked as a matter of public concern. His statement of October 15, 2024, uttered in the hallowed chamber of the Nigerian Senate, is a gross abuse of his position as a legislator of the Federal Republic to undermine an agency of government by wrong accusation calculated to erode public confidence in NDLEA and detract from its integrity. And we dare say that such will not deter us from our ongoing effort to dismantle all illicit drug networks including the one operating from the senator’s residence.”

He stressed that: “NDLEA since January 2021 has been on a journey of reforms, and so far, we are glad with the progress we are making. We are grateful to the federal and state governments for the support we have been enjoying. We are equally grateful to the National Assembly for the huge support they give that has made possible the turnaround of NDLEA from a dormant agency to a vibrant government organ. We equally acknowledge the unprecedented collaboration with our partners, which has made our work easier. We have concrete results to show for our efforts, and those results cannot be wished away by anyone’s careless remarks.”

NDLEA Says Illicit Drugs were found in Senator Ashiru’s House, Aides Prosecuted
Insists Criticism Borne Out of Vendetta

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Zulum to Resettle 5,000 Displaced Persons in Bama

Published

on

Zulum to Resettle 5,000 Displaced Persons in Bama

… Borno State Governor Announces Resettlement of 5,000 Displaced Persons Ahead of Farming Season

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has revealed plans to resettle 5,000 displaced persons from five communities before the end of the rainy season to enable them to engage in farming activities.

The communities include Goniri, Bula Kuriye, Mayanti, Abbaram, and Darajamal.

Governor Zulum disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Bama, Dr. Umar ibn Kyari Umar ElKanemi, at his palace in Bama on Friday.

The governor stated that the construction of 1,000 transitional shelters has commenced in each of the communities, with Darajamal’s already completed.

“We are committed to resettling all displaced persons living in IDP camps back to their communities. Construction of transitional shelters has started in Mayanti, Goniri, Bula Kuriye, and Abbaram, while that of Darajamal has been completed. I have also directed the digging of trenches to fortify the communities,” Governor Zulum said.

He emphasised the importance of farming, stating, “Our target is to ensure that they participate in this cropping season. Farming is our greatest treasure. I will interface with the Commanding Officer and leaders of Civilian JTF to strategise on how best to further protect these areas.”

Additionally, Governor Zulum informed the Shehu of Bama that security measures have been strengthened in Nguro Soye, a community on the outskirts of Bama town, to ensure safe farming activities.

“While returning from Gwoza, I stopped at the military formation in Banki Junction, where we discussed intensifying security in Nguro Soye and surrounding areas. I have provided the necessary logistics to the military and Civilian JTF and pledged six months’ allowances for volunteers patrolling the area,” he announced.

In response, the Shehu of Bama commended Governor Zulum for his purposeful leadership and commitment to the security and welfare of the people.

“I will like to appreciate the governor for resettling the people of Darajamal and for ongoing efforts to return more displaced persons to their homes. We are grateful, Your Excellency,” the Shehu said.

He also appealed for additional support to members of the Civilian JTF to safeguard farmers and farmlands during the rainy season.

Zulum to Resettle 5,000 Displaced Persons in Bama

Continue Reading

News

Congo Seeks Nigeria’s Backing For Diplomat To Lead UNESCO

Published

on

Congo Seeks Nigeria’s Backing For Diplomat To Lead UNESCO

** As VP Shettima receives PM Makosso, hails country’s leadership in Great Lakes region

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties with the Republic of Congo, acknowledging the leadership of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso in promoting regional peace and stability, especially across Africa’s Great Lakes region.

He also said that Nigeria will consider Congo’s request for support in its bid to lead the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Speaking on Friday while receiving the Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo, Anatole Collinet Makosso, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, VP Shettima lauded the leadership of the Congolese President and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

“President Denis Sassou-Nguesso is one of the greatest stabilisers on the African continent. He is well-respected and has the experience and exposure to provide leadership to a turbulent region. Your country is a beacon of hope and stability in the region,” he said.

Senator Shettima, who received the Congolese delegation on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the issues raised by the visiting Prime Minister, particularly the request for Nigeria’s endorsement of Firmin Edouard Matoko for the post of UNESCO Director-General, would be conveyed to the President.

“Be rest assured that all the issues raised, especially over your candidature for the Director-Generalship of UNESCO, will be conveyed to the President. And I am hopeful that he is going to endorse your candidacy, fundamentally because what binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. Wherever we go, we are essentially one people,” he said.

Earlier, the Congolese Prime Minister, who delivered a special message from President Sassou-Nguesso to President Tinubu, called for deepened relations between both countries and sought Nigeria’s support for Matoko, a long-serving UNESCO official with over three decades of experience.

“We have a candidate for the post of Director-General of UNESCO, Firmin Edouard Matoko, a seasoned diplomat and former senior official of the organisation with over three decades of experience,” Makosso said.

He explained that Matoko joined UNESCO in 1990 and served in several strategic roles, including Director of multiple regional offices, Director of the Africa Department, and ultimately as Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations.

Makosso noted that Congo’s interest in Matoko’s candidacy was not merely national but based on competence.

“We are seeking Nigeria’s support for his candidature not because he is a Congolese, but because he is well qualified for the position, especially at this time that UNESCO needs a very experienced person,” he said.

The Prime Minister also thanked the Nigerian government and people for their humanitarian support to Congolese children who benefited from the Rochas Foundation, noting that some of the children, many of whom were orphans, have graduated, while others remain in school.

“We also want to thank the good people of Nigeria for taking care of some young children from Congo, some of them orphans who were offered free education by the Rochas Foundation. Some of them just graduated, while some are still in school. We are very grateful for that,” Makosso said.

He commended President Tinubu’s leadership at ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, just as he expressed sympathy with Nigerians over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Congo Seeks Nigeria’s Backing For Diplomat To Lead UNESCO

Continue Reading

News

Again: Zulum nominated for African Governors Award

Published

on

Again: Zulum nominated for African Governors Award

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum was nominated to receive the African Governors’ Excellence Award for 2025.

Mr Idahosa revealed that the prestigious event will celebrate visionary leadership, exceptional governance, and impactful development initiatives by governors across Africa. He said the award recognises commitment to sustainable socio-economic transformation in their respective regions and states.

Zulum will receive the award alongside other African Governors in Paris at the event on August 19. The vice-chairman of the selection committee, Idahosa Osamahze, stated in a news brief.

It can be recalled that Zulum received the Forbes Magazine African Leadership Award in New York, United States of America, in 2024.

Idahosa emphasised that the award is to promote excellence in public service, encourage innovation in governance, and foster best practices in leadership for Africa’s socio-economic advancement.

According to him, Sheriff Oborevwori, Uba Sani, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, and Abdullahi Sule have been nominated for the award.

He said the nominated governors from Egypt are Abdel Amara, Kafr El Sheikh; Amr Hanafi, Gamal Nour El-Din, and Khaled Fouda.

Mr Idahosa added that Hillary Barchok, George Natembeya, Mohamed Adan Khalif, and Jeremiah Lomorukai were picked from Kenya.

He also said, “These governors exemplify what leadership with vision, integrity, and purpose can achieve. Their work is changing lives, fostering prosperity, and inspiring a new generation of public servants across Africa.”

According to Mr Idahosa, the Paris ceremony is expected to attract high-profile dignitaries, development partners, diplomats, and stakeholders from across Africa and Europe.

He also noted that there shall be keynote addresses from global policy leaders, panel discussions on sub-national governance innovation, and networking sessions to foster intergovernmental collaboration.
End

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights