By Simon Ateba
The reason why drug trafficking persists in Nigeria and officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) do not receive adequate support from the authorities is because some highly-placed government officials are deeply involved in the illegal business, an NDLEA officer has disclosed.
The officer, who did not want to be mentioned, told PM.NEWS in Lagos, yesterday, that many government officials are drug barons and are unwilling to equip the anti-drug agency appropriately for fear of losing a lot of money. The operative, who works at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, also revealed that some drug barons have been calling on them to assist drug traffickers at the airport. Recently, the officer disclosed, a drug baron called and offered a huge sum of money to the officer to allow a drug trafficker escape. But the money was rejected.
The anti-drug agent further disclosed that unlike in the United States where Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) operatives do not remain at a specific post for more than six months in the same city and do not stay with their families, in Nigeria, NDLEA officials have spent many years in the same posting. Recently, the officer came face to face with a convict who was released in Lagos shortly after he was caught with almost two kilogrammes of cocaine. The suspect, on sighting the officer at a traffic jam in Lagos, called the officer and extended his greetings, smiled and drove off.
P.M.NEWS can confirm that, at the presidential lounge of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, governors, the president, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, foreign leaders and their aides are not searched on arrival or departure. Most of their aides always carry several bags which are not searched because of the immunity they enjoy. The operative, however, refused to mention names of government officials involved in the business but expressed no surprise that light sentences are being given to drug convicts at Nigerian courts.
Last year, a drug convict, who was arrested with cocaine worth several millions of naira, was fined N350,000, which he paid in court and walked away a free man. The officer also revealed that all NDLEA officials in the country dream to serve at the Lagos international airport because that is where the money is. The operative said they receive tips from some generous passengers who are not involved in the drug business.
The NDLEA operative further revealed that although the U.S. anti-drug officers regularly come into the country for some exchange programmes with NDLEA , Nigerian agents do not go on training in the U.S. This, the officer said, is caused by the unwillingness of the government to pay the bill. The officer said this is deliberately done by government officials who do not want them to acquire more knowledge in the business. Citing some examples, the operative disclosed that in most parts of the country, especially in the North, the NDLEA offices are in a state of dilapidation. Sometimes, the officer disclosed, NDLEA agents cannot afford a house and end up sleeping in the agency’s offices with males and females spending the night together as if they are couples.
The officer also disclosed that in Lagos state, for example, with at least six NDLEA Commands, there is only one pick up van at their disposal. Help from the state government is difficult to come by, the officer revealed. P.M.NEWS can reveal that the four scanners at the country’s four international airports were bought last year by the United States Embassy in Nigeria. The purchase and training of NDLEA agents cost the U.S. over 1.5 million dollars.
Geoffrey
23 March 2009 14:58He should be aware of such Got. official, he should make their names public because time has past when we use to have all those scared cow.
Ola Johnson
23 March 2009 15:01… Recently, the officer disclosed, a drug baron called and offered a huge sum of money to the officer to allow a drug trafficker escape. But the money was rejected.
The only way the issue of war against drug can be achieved is by exposing anyone involved irrespective of their post. I think the above person who offered the bribe should exposed and prosecuted accordingly.
leo
23 March 2009 15:23this is not new 60percent of govt officials are into drug, right from babangida administration
REASONING
23 March 2009 16:36REBRANDING OF NIGERIA AT ITS BEST………NIGERIA : Good People…..bla ..bla..bla.. MORONS
ope
23 March 2009 16:39A legislator from lagos is a well known BARON…..tell us what we dont know…..
Uche Ikedia
23 March 2009 17:20My anger when reading these kind of publication is that the names are never mentioned. I blame not just the NDLEA staff but our supposed “impartial” press that cannot investigate and publish what they find. Either they are too scared or they have been paid to bury the story. But if it is a poor farmer that is caught, his photograph is in every paper, even network news. . We have to stop this corruption and make Nigeria the great place it once was
olakanye
23 March 2009 17:40United state Convicted Asiwaju Tinubu is absential and foufiets all his property in united state,see full report on saharareporters.com
Nobody is doing anything about it,Nigerian not only governement are not ready to fight Drug and coruption,the first person that Rolins Killed in Ghana is his own brother,until we learn to hurt ourselve we will not get there………..
babs sho
23 March 2009 21:18THIS IS A WAKE UP CALL. THE GOVERNMENT AND ALLSUNDRIES MUST ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS SPEARED OF SEARCHES
AT THE AIRPORT. IRRESPECTIVE OF POSITION, KUDOS BE GIVEN TO THIS ANNONYMOUS OFFICER, WHO REVEALED THESE FACTS.THIS IS AN AREA THAT REQUIRE, URGENT ATTENTION OF THE SO CALLED GOVERNMENT TO SANITISE AND GET NIGERIA OUT OF THE MENANCE OF DRUGS HUB. THE QUESTION IS CAN THEY?
HISTORY SHALL JUDGE WHOEVER FAILS, AND WHATEVER YOU SOW YOU’LL REAP.
bally
23 March 2009 21:51So many accusations, but no names, we need names to be called out. If they are all well known politicians then we could name and shame them. but if the NDELA keeps hiding behind fear then there is more to it than just the names.
Fadahunsi Adeniyi
24 March 2009 13:57This is no news because every Nigerian conversant with history will attest to the fact that drug trafficking and fraudulent activities are the main sources of wealth of most our so called leaders. Anyone who wants to challenge my submittion shoudl visit the story of Gloria Okon and Mrs Mariam Babangida.
DA4MU
24 March 2009 15:12Uche Ikedia et tel,
The freedom of information bill could have allowed journalist to do what you are calling for but with the current constitution it is not possible. If you mention any name, our constitution in the current form protect these barons and exposes the inquisitive journalist. We should pressurise the legistlators and the executive to pass the bill into law. The law if passed will allow journalists to investigate and print any matter of public interest. All criminals including drug barons will alaways exploit loopholes in the law. These loopholes are plenty in the constitution, so they use it. I pity this NDLEA staff, because this what happens in many sectors of the Nigerian system. We need reforms in the Judiciary, Police, Electoral system, Religious organisations, financial systems, educational systems, business enterprises, oil sector etc. Even though most Nigerians are disgusted with the way Iwu is handling INEC but Yaraduwa cannot push him aside. In America, most people are annoyed with AIG executives collecting bonusses and Obama acted immediately and most are returning the said bonusses. I am sorry! Americans voted Obama into office and that is why……….!