Crime
NDLEA seizes over 6,668 tonnes of illicit substances in 2 years
The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), says the agency has seized more than 6,668 tonnes of illicit substances in two years.
Marwa said this while responding to a request for partnership and deployment of more NDLEA personnel to all parts of Katsina by Gov. Dikko Radda.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Friday in Abuja.
Marwa also said that more than 36,096 suspects had been arrested and more than 6,043 had already been prosecuted and convicted within the same period.
He noted that the drug menace was a huge issue that had destroyed the lives of several Nigerian youths and communities.
According to him, it is the public enemy number one, and especially the criminal aspect of it, because 99 percent of criminals must first have access to drugs and be under the influence to perpetrate some of their acts.
“That is why the NDLEA, under the collective support of the directorates and management, has put all efforts towards operation ‘offensive action’.
“This operation involves going out to seize all drugs cultivated, imported, or on the verge of being exported out of the country.
More than 6,668 tonnes of illicit substances have been seized in two years, and this is the drug supply reduction aspect.
“We have also arrested the perpetrators of the act, and more than 36,096 suspects have been arrested and more than 6,043 have already been prosecuted and convicted within this period.”
Marwa emphasised that another side of the fight was drug demand reduction, which focused on prevention, treatment, and aftercare of drug-dependent persons.
“The preventive measure targets those who have not started or are about to start drug use.
“They are targeted through advocacy and sensitisation across all levels.
“It is for this reason we structured the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative from the national to Local Government Area (LGA) levels,” he said.
He assured that the agency would continue relentlessly until the streets were cleared of drugs.
Speaking earlier, Radda said that the synergy was important and needed in the state.
According to him, the Katsina State Government recognises that the NDLEA has been making lots of efforts to support, the government.
“But we still need more support from the chairman to stop the movement of drugs and ensure the arrest and prosecution of dealers in the state.”
The governor appealed for better partnership and synergy to reduce the abuse of drugs, the activities of banditry and trafficking in the state.
“We appeal to the NDLEA for support, and on behalf of the Katsina state government, we appreciate the NDLEA for the work you are doing.
“We hope this visit enhances a better working relationship between the NDLEA and the state,” he said.
Crime
Thieves cart away cows meant for church harvest celebration
Suspected thieves have carted away two cows from the premises of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Testimony Parish in the Egbeda area of Oyo state.
In a post published on its Facebook page, the church said the stolen cows, bought at N1.9 million, were meant for its annual adult harvest thanksgiving celebration.
The incident happened on November 11 as the church prepared for the celebration slated for November 17.
After days of searching for the missing cows, the church solicited for financial contributions to buy new cows for the harvest celebration.
“Dear Celestians and The General public, This 2 Huge Cows was stolen where it was Tied in The Church Premises at CCC Testimony parish Elerumoke Area, Egbeda, Iyana Ajia and its meant for slaughter for the 9th adult harvest thanksgiving of the church coming up this Sunday 17th November 2024,” the church wrote on Facebook.
“We hereby solicit for your prayer for quick recovery of this harvest thanksgiving sacrificial materials.
“Anybody with useful information on how to recover these cows or any means of assistance to make the harvest thanksgiving a beautiful one should contact the parish shepherd.”
Crime
NDLEA arrests businessman for smuggling cocaine through ingestion
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the arrest of a businessman caught with a large quantity of cocaine.
Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed the arrest on Sunday via his X account, accompanied by a video displaying the seized contraband.
The businessman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly ingested a substantial quantity of cocaine in an attempt to avoid detection.
Babafemi wrote, “Detty December: Before you swallow those drugs, please remember that the new @ndlea_nigeria has the capacity and capability to catch you.
“The businessman who excreted this amount of cocaine will not only spend Christmas behind bars but also risks a life sentence at the end of his trial. Beware!”
Crime
UK teenager risks 20 years in Dubai prison for sex with 17-year-old girl
An 18-year-old British boy has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl in Dubai.
Detained in Dubai, a group of UAE legal experts, said the teenager was on holiday with his parents when he met the girl — who is now 18 — at the same hotel.
The teenagers who are both from London were said to have made plans to continue their romance when they returned to the UK.
The group, which campaigns to help people it says have suffered injustice in the UAE, said the young man was charged because the girl’s mother found their chats and pictures back in the UK.
It was gathered that the woman subsequently contacted police in Dubai and he was arrested.
The boy however claimed he was unaware that the girl was younger than him when they met. The teenager also disclosed that he was in police custody for three days and was unable to contact his parents.
“We had a wonderful time together. We really liked each other but she was secretive with her family because they were strict,” he told Detained in Dubai.
“My parents knew about our relationship but she couldn’t tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy.
“When she left, I couldn’t wait to see her again when I got home. Then suddenly, police knocked on our hotel door. They said they were taking me in for questioning but wouldn’t tell me why. I was frightened and my parents were terrified.”
The teenager, it is understood, could face up to two decades in prison owing to Dubai’s strict laws regarding sex outside marriage.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of the campaign group, said Dubai recently legalised out-of-wedlock sex for tourists but “still hosts a strict Islamic legal system”.
“Sex outside marriage is legal for tourists but only if both parties are over 18. The girl was just a few months younger than Marcus and he didn’t know that at the time,” Stirling said.
“Since his arrest, she has turned 18. This is not something Dubai should be prosecuting.
“Parents will be scared to take their older teenagers on vacation with them where they could end up losing their lives over behaviour that’s completely legal in their own countries.”
The teenager and his family have called on foreign secretary David Lammy, their local MP, to intervene in the case.
The teenager is no longer being held in a police cell but is unable to leave the country, with his family facing bills of £2,000 for Airbnb accommodation until his case is resolved.
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