NDLEA: Drug Barons Cannot Overrun Nigeria

Giade •N1.6 billion worth hard drugs seized

Oct 4, 2011 – The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade has given reasons why drug barons cannot overrun the country. He said the estimated value of drugs seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, between January and September is N1.6 billion.

Giade said: “The NDLEA will resist attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to overrun our country. We are determined to incapacitate them by constant drug seizures, assets forfeiture, arrests and prosecution. Imagine a situation where drug barons would have made N1.6 billion at the Lagos airport alone. Our efforts will be geared towards the prevention of the huge profit in drug sales.”

According to Giade, the agency has justified its establishment. 

He said: “Nigeria’s drug control capacity is rising with high airport interdiction record, regular drug seizures, zero tolerance for corruption and effective international collaboration.

“Every successful case of drug trafficking is risky and portends danger to the society. It increases the resources, power and influence of drug lords to the detriment of legitimate governments. We must therefore continue to emasculate drug trafficking cartels to perpetually subject them under our control.”

The agency’s commander at the Lagos airport, Alhaji Hamza Umar, said 92 suspected drug traffickers, comprising 82 men and 10 women, had been apprehended at the Lagos airport between January and September. A total of 203.849kg of illicit drugs were also seized within the period. The breakdown shows that cocaine is highest with 79.696kg, cannabis  with 57.725kg, Methamphetamine is 39.223kg, Heroin 21.705kg while ephedrine is 5.500kg. 

His words: “We shall continue to be vigilant and make the airport a nightmare to drug traffickers through arrests and seizures”.

Giade called on stakeholders to increase support for drug control programmes in the country. “Any investment and sacrifice in securing the country from the activities of drug barons is a prudent step towards protecting life and property. I therefore call on all stakeholders to increase their support for the agency. There is room for improvement in our operations to secure the future of the country from the hands of drug cartels,” Giade said.(The Nation)