Ajayi Crowther varsity to conduct drug tests for students, staff

Ajayi Crowther University has decided to subject students, porters, and security personnel to mandatory drug tests, according to a report from the institution’s alumni executive. This is coming in the wake of the death of a student who was said to have been beaten to death by some of his colleagues. Recall a 200-level Mechanical Engineering student at the institution, Akpo Alex, had, last week, been beaten to death by some of his colleagues. The beating was said to have been occasioned by an alleged stealing of a phone belonging to one of them. “He also said that every one of the students, university porters, and securities would be subjected to drug tests, and if they are found culpable, they would be expelled and dismissed with immediate effect,” the school’s alumni executive report signed by its president, Hon Busoye Ogunlade, stated on Thursday, quoting the university’s vice-chancellor, Prof. Timothy Adebayo.  The report comes after the alumni executive visited the university management to get updates and offer suggestions in the aftermath of the student’s death. During the visit, the Ajayi Crowther University vice-chancellor informed the alumni that all individuals involved in the incident, including the suspected perpetrators, a porter, and two security personnel accused of rape, are currently in police custody awaiting legal proceedings. “The porter of the same hostel where the incident happened is still in police custody till date. Also, the two securities who were reported for rape are to appear in court today, May 30, 2024,” the report stated. In addition to the drug testing measures, the university has increased its security presence on campus, with civil defence officers working alongside existing security personnel. The report also mentioned that the parents of the deceased student visited the university and suggested ways to raise awareness among students about proper channels for reporting incidents instead of taking matters into their own hands. The alumni executive expressed its commitment to working closely with the university management to uphold the institution’s vision and ensure the safety of students. “We told the management that the Alumni as a body would keep working hands in hands with the university to ensure the vision of its establishment is well pursued to the core,” the report stated. Earlier, the VC noted that the school has learnt from this incident and has beefed up security and monitoring while encouraging students to report whatever is happening around them to the vice-chancellor and other management staff.

Senate Approves Death Penalty for Drug Traffickers

The Nigerian Senate has made a bold move by approving a bill that mandates the death penalty for individuals found guilty of drug trafficking within the nation’s borders. The decision, which followed a presentation by Senator Tahir Monguno representing Borno North. The bill, which passed its third reading in the Senate chamber, seeks to modernize existing laws governing drug offenses and strengthen the operations of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Key provisions include updates to the list of prohibited substances and the enhancement of drug testing laboratory facilities. The decision to introduce the death penalty came as an amendment to Section 11 of the current NDLEA Act, which previously stipulated a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for drug trafficking offenses. Senator Ali Ndume spearheaded the amendment, arguing for tougher penalties to deter drug-related activities effectively. During deliberations, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin oversaw a clause-by-clause examination of the bill. Despite objections from Senator Adams Oshiomhole regarding the gravity of the decision, the amendment to impose the death penalty was put to a voice vote and passed with a majority in favor. While Senator Oshiomhole expressed concerns about the weightiness of matters concerning life and death, the decision had already been made, as no immediate call for division was made following the ruling. The Senate’s endorsement of the bill underscores Nigeria’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and related offenses. Proponents argue that stricter penalties are necessary to stem the tide of illicit drug activities, while critics warn of the potential for miscarriages of justice and human rights violations. With the bill cleared by the Senate, it now awaits further deliberation and potential amendments in the House of Representatives before it can be enacted into law, pending the President’s approval.

3 Injured As NDLEA Officers Battle Drug Dealers In Edo

A clash between National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives and armed individuals has resulted in three operatives sustaining injuries, with one requiring brain surgery.  The confrontation arose when suspected hoodlums attempted to obstruct the operatives from reaching a concealed drug warehouse deep within Opuje forest in Edo State’s Owan West Local Government Area. In a statement released by the agency on Thursday, after a two-hour gun battle, the NDLEA personnels managed to leave the area. It all started with a credible intelligence prompting NDLEA officers to target the warehouse containing psychoactive substances slated for distribution nationwide during the festive period.  Describing the Opuje community as a hub for cannabis cultivation, the statement highlighted the cartels’ extensive investments, including deforestation and cultivation spanning hundreds of hectares. After harvest, these cartels construct warehouses within forest reserves, guarded by armed youths round-the-clock. Acting on intelligence suggesting the restocking of these warehouses for the festive season’s drug distribution, NDLEA teams initiated operations to dismantle them.  While demolishing warehouses in Ujiogba forest, they encountered gunfire upon approaching the Opuje forest due to roads being blocked by armed hoodlums. NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), condemned the attack, vowing relentless pursuit of those behind violence against agency personnel. He affirmed the agency’s commitment to bringing culprits to justice and dismantling their criminal networks.

NDLEA Busts 6,600 Bottles Of Codeine, Nabs 8 Suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 6,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup and arrested six suspects in various raids across the country. This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja. Babafemi said that a 27-year-old Kingsley Chimaobi was arrested with 6,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup on September 11 along the Lokogoma-Abuja Road, FCT Abuja. He said that operatives of the Agency arrested two suspects: Moses Akowe, 32, and Sunday Gabriel, 31, with 227.1kgs of cannabis on Tuesday September 11 at Ikebe village, Ankpa LGA, Kogi. He also said that a female suspect, Bilikisu Salako, 35, was nabbed with 108kgs of same substance on Saturday Sept. 16 in Ifo area of Ogun state. Babafemi added that a total of 100 blocks of cannabis weighing 55kgs and 600 bottles of codeine-based syrup were seized in Abuja. He said the duo of Salisu Murtala and Shafi’u Dahiru were arrested on Tuesday September 11, along Abuja road in connection to the seizures. “The suspects have been traced to two other suspects: Muntari Nasiru and Yusuf Ali who were arrested in follow up operations in Kano,” he said. Babafemi said that a Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday Sept. 13, sentenced a drug dealer, Segun Odeyemi to five years imprisonment for trafficking and dealing in 3,842 kilograms of skunk. He said that the suspect was arrested on Saturday July 1, while conveying 89 jumbo bags of the illicit substance in his truck around Eleganza area of Ajah, Lekki. “He was subsequently charged in suit number FHC/L/388C/2023 presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko,” he said. Babafemi said various commands of the agency continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), sensitisation activities in the past week taking advocacy messages to the stakeholders. “Instances of this include, WADA advocacy visit to the head of Kadiria Islamic Sect of Africa, Sheikh Qaribullah Nasiru Kabara in Kano. “WADA sensitisation lecture for men and officers of Nigerian Army, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, and lecture for Muslim community in Kaduna. “WADA sensitisation lecture at Enugu State College of Health and Technology, Oji- River; advocacy lecture for members of Ram Sellers Association, Osogbo as well as officers and men of the Nigerian Navy School of Music, Ota, Ogun, among others,” he said.

NDLEA Denies Involvement In Mohbad’s Death

*Say they never arrested or poisoned him in 2022 Amidst the controversy surrounding the untimely death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as MohBad, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has refuted claims that the late musician was poisoned during his time in their custody. Following MohBad’s demise last Tuesday under unclear circumstances, a video surfaced depicting the 27-year-old artist in a hospital bed, where he claimed to have been forced to ingest a liquid substance and was mistreated with the butt of a gun before being released by NDLEA operatives. In response, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi asserted that MohBad was never arrested or detained by their agency. He pointed out that the deceased was not among the Marlian Music artists arrested by the NDLEA in 2022, contrary to widespread speculation. This fact, he argued, makes it impossible for MohBad to have been poisoned while in their custody. Babafemi also shared a link from an online platform, which detailed the arrest of six individuals in February 2022, none of whom included MohBad. In a related development, the police authorities have announced their intention to probe the circumstances surrounding MohBad’s death. Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, extended condolences to the late musician’s family and friends, reassuring the public of a thorough investigation into the matter. The Lagos State Police Command has even considered the possibility of exhuming MohBad’s remains in response to growing public concerns and a preliminary review of the circumstances surrounding his passing. The Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has instructed the initiation of a full-scale criminal investigation into the case, urging individuals with valuable information to come forward and assist in the process while requesting that the public avoid making statements or engaging in activities that could compromise the ongoing investigation.

NDLEA intercepts fake $20m on Lokoja-Abuja Highway

A ‘Stop-and-Search’ operation by operatives of the NDLEA on the Lokoja-Abaji (FCT) Highway has yielded 20 million counterfeit dollars. Spokesman of the NDLEA stated on Sunday in Abuja that the fake currencies were recovered from a bus travelling from Lagos and heading to Abuja. He stated that the 53-year-old driver of the vehicle, Onyebuchi Nlededin, was arrested. Babafemi stated also that one Jude Ndubuisi (52) was arrested in a raid on Aug. 17 while in possession of 2.2kg of methamphetamine at Kabusa village, FCT. He added that the suspect was earlier arrested on July 7, 2022 for being in possession of 20.75kg of Indian hemp and that he was on court bail when he was nabbed for yet another drug crime. “Another raid on two notorious drug joints in the FCT – “Dei-Dei’’ and Tora-Bora Hills, led to the recovery of 82.8kg skunk, 1.8kg Rohypnol and 1.2kg diazepam on Wednesday, Aug. 16. “In Osun, NDLEA operatives destroyed clusters of Indian hemp plantations measuring about 3.5 hectares (more than 7.5 tons) at Mopatedo in Ifedayo Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, Aug. 19 “Two suspects – Sunday Otogbo (40), and Peter Makra (35), were arrested inside the Indian hemp farms. “An additional 30kg of Indian hemp and 16.9kg of Indian hemp seeds were also recovered from the farms,’’ he stated. Babafemi added that three other suspects – Ndubuisi Okorie (44), Ebilima Emmanuel (38), and Okechukwu Smart (40), were arrested on Aug. 19 in connection with 168kg of Indian hemp seized from them. The suspects were arrested when their vehicle was intercepted on the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, he stated. “A shipment of 6,000 capsules of tramadol, 1,200 tablets of `swinol’, 155 bottles of codeine syrup and 20 tablets s of Molly was equally seized on the same road on Sunday Aug. 13. “A follow-up operation at Oyigbo area of Port Harcourt, led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Remigius Ogechukwu (33),’’ Babafemi added. He stated also that a teenager, Boniface Odinakachukwu (19), was arrested with 99.4kg skunk at Isikwe Road, Achi in Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State on Friday, Aug. 18. The NDLEA spokesman added that a wanted 19-year-old bandit, Aliyu Mohammed Altine, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Illela-Sokoto Road with some wraps of skunk on Thursday, Aug. 17. Altine was on the wanted list of the police and has since been handed over to the police in Sokoto State for further investigation, Babafemi stated.