Drug abuse: IG orders urine tests for police officers

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has said the Force will henceforth carry out urine tests on all policemen for signs of drug abuse before they are issued lethal weapons or posted to their operational points.

Police Inspector General, Solomon Arase

Apart from denying access to firearms or retrieving guns from officers who failed such drug tests, Arase stated that the police would provide appropriate help to wean them from drugs or other emotional or psychological issues that may trigger fatal outcomes in their line of duty.

The IG said this on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of drug testing and campaign against sudden death among police officers organised in collaboration with Hypertension and Diabetes Awareness Foundation.

Arase said the police had attracted public odium through misapplication of weapons which he said could be due to mishandling of firearms by police officers who were psychologically unfit to handle weapons at that particular time.

He said, “Some of these psychological problems could also have resulted from drug abuse by few of our men. We have therefore decided that the medical assessment of persons we recruit into the police force will include a psychological assessment.

“In addition, effective immediately, we will carry out snap urine tests for signs of drug abuse on all policemen before we issue any lethal weapons to them or at their operational points.  We are in partnership with a reputable group of psychiatrists and psychologists in this project.”

The police chief said he had initiated a policing strategy that would make the Nigeria Police transit from exclusive reliance on lethal weapons in the management of threats and social disorders to the engagement of less lethal weapon system such as electro-muscular disruption weaponry, known as taser or stun gun.

“Orders have been placed for this weaponry and adequate training framework is being put in place; my long term vision is to effectively address issues that engender misuse of firearms and give true meaning to our mandate of safeguarding the lives of our citizens,” he added.

To commemorate the World Health Day on Diabetes, the IG said he had directed the Force Medical Department to screen policemen for chronic non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and hypertension.

He encouraged police officers to come forward for the medical screening, stating that the force needed a healthy workforce to carry out its responsibilities.

Drug abuse: IG orders urine tests for police officers

Drug trafficking: 158 Nigerians on death row in China, Malaysia

A total 158 Nigerians are waiting to be executed over drugs related offences in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, the Senate said on Tuesday.

Moving a motion tagged: “Nigerians involvement in illicit global drugs trade and increase in domestic drug abuse by Nigerian youth”, Senator Gbenga B. Ashafa  (APC, Lagos East) said 120 of persons are in China.

He said 30 are in Malaysia, seven in Indonesia and one in Singapore and that six Nigerians were executed for drugs related offences last year.

He noted that the Malaysian authorities have again issued a strong statement that 40 percent of the foreigners being arrested for drug offences are from Nigeria.

Student disguise

He observed that in their desperation, Nigerians are disguising as “university students”, colluding with drug syndicates to undermine the visa system and gain entrance into Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other drug traffic routes.

“On getting there, they abandon the education agenda and get busy with their illicit and illegal drug business activities; trading in opiates, cocaine, heroin, cannabis and amphetamines,” he said.

He said that the Federal Government has not swung into strategic action to curb the menace of drug couriers and their sponsors both in and out of Nigeria.

He noted that the incidence of young Nigerians abusing substances including Codeine, Rochephenol, Tramadol, heroin, Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) and even different grades of crack cocaine have become prevalent in across the country.

Traffickers and couriers

He said Nigeria topped the list of the countries involved in drug trafficking and drug use in West Africa’s and also the list of drug couriers arrested in Europe in 2011 and 2012.

Contributing to the motion, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) said the rates at which housewives are abusing drugs are alarming.

“We need to do something about, it has gone beyond youth and now it is very prevalent among married women. Women who are in charge of upbringing of children are now drugs addicts,” he said.

The Senate however urged the Federal Government to restructure and reposition the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to be able to meet the challenges of evasive drug traffickers using Nigerians to traffic drugs.

 

Drug trafficking: 158 Nigerians on death row in China, Malaysia

NDLEA probes Arik attendant caught with N105m cocaine

OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Tuesday night stormed the headquarters of Arik Air in Ikeja Lagos following the arrest in London of a crew member of the airline for allegedly being in possession of cocaine.

The Arik crew member, identified by the anti-narcotics agency as Chika Egwu Udensi, was arrested on Monday night by operatives of the United Kingdom Border Force with 20 kilogrammes of cocaine in London.

The NDLEA agents were said to have searched Udensi’s latest Range Rover parked on the airline’s premises. Arik spokesman, Adebanji Ola, confirmed the visit by the NDLEA’s operatives.

Udensi was arrested at the London Heathrow Airport shortly after an Arik Air flight W3101 that departed from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, touched down in the UK.

Udensi’s arrest came barely two years after two crew members of the Arik Air were similarly nabbed by the UK Border Force in London.

Officials of the NDLEA on Tuesday put the street value of the drug found with the suspect at £350,000 (N105m).

The Arik Air on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of its cabin crew member by the UK Border Force.

The airline, in a statement which read like the one issued after the 2013 incident, said it had commenced investigation into how the banned substance got into the suspect’s possession.

The statement by Ola, read, “A member of Arik Air cabin crew was on Monday night arrested at the Heathrow Airport, London, by the UK Border Force in connection with alleged possession of item suspected to be a banned substance.

“The airline is presently carrying out its private investigation to determine how the cabin crew member came about the suspected banned substance.

“Arik Air will also be cooperating fully with the UK authorities and other appropriate agencies in their investigations.”

The statement added, “The airline again reaffirms its commitment to the fight against drug and illicit substances trafficking and will not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of banned items and substances.

“Arik Air carries out very stringent checks on all members of staff and its travelling guests ahead of all flights. The airline will continue to focus its attention on measures to prevent the possibility of any future similar incidents.

“Arik Air is a responsible Nigerian company, always seeking to maintain and uphold the integrity and proud reputation of the nation.”

Our correspondent learnt that the Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Chris Ndulue; and the Director of Flight Operation, Captain Ado Sanusi, were onboard the flight.

A top official of the airline, who spoke to The PUNCH in confidence, said that Ndulue and Sanusi travelled on the flight for a “special meeting” in the UK.

Details of the said meeting were not known as of press time.

When asked whether Ndulue and Sanusi were onboard the flight and their mission in the UK, the airline’s spokesperson, Ola, simply answered, “I don’t know; I don’t know.”

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, on Tuesday ordered investigation into the operations of Arik Air following the development.

The Nigerian anti-narcotics agency said in a statement that it had notified the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom of the arrest.

The statement quoted Giade as saying, “The agency will carry out full scale investigation into this case to ascertain those behind the criminal act. We shall work closely with our international collaborators on the matter. Arik Airline will be sanctioned if found wanting.

“The agency shall invoke section 25 of the NDLEA Act against the airline, which states that it shall be the duty of every commercial carrier to take reasonable precaution to ensure that its means of transport are not used in the commission of offences under this Act.

“Every commercial carrier is expected to comply with appropriate security measures at points of entry and exit in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other customs control areas, to prevent unauthorised cargo in its means of transportation.

“The law refers to the precautionary measures to include training of personnel, promotion of integrity of their personnel, submission of cargo manifests in advance, use of tamper-resistant, individually verifiable seals on containers and reporting to the agency at the earliest opportunity all suspicious circumstances relating to drug trafficking.

“Nigeria has a cordial working relationship with the United Kingdom in drug control. This has resulted to a drastic reduction in the number of arrests made in the United Kingdom from flights originating from Nigeria over the years.”

In December 2011, another Arik Air cabin crew, Ms. Chinwendu Uwakaonyenma Ogbonnaya, was similarly arrested in London for drug trafficking.

She was subsequently jailed for five years in London.

Also in 2013, precisely on May 21,   two female crew members of the airline were arrested at the same Heathrow Airport in London for suspected drug trafficking.

The two had been arrested after a package of drugs was discovered by Border Force officers on a bus which had been used to transport air crew.

The street value of their haul as of the time had been put at around £600,000.

NDLEA probes Arik attendant caught with N105m cocaine

Be ready to defend yourself before High Court - NDLEA tells Kashamu

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has advised the Senator-elect for Ogun-East senatorial district, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, to concentrate his effort on defending himself before the Federal High Court where he is expected to appear on Monday (today).

Buruji Kashamu

The agency reiterated that the decision to drag him before the court followed a formal request for his extradition by the United States.

In a statement by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell, on Sunday, the NDLEA urged Kashamu to save his energy for the hearing of the extradition application.

Kashamu is the Chairman, Organisastion and Mobilisation Committee of the PDP in the South-West and he was a staunch supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

He fell out with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and teamed up with President Goodluck Jonathan during the battle for the control of the party in Ogun State.

The agency said it was wrong of Kashamu to finger Obasanjo and a leader of the PDP in Lagos State, Chief Bode George, as being behind his present travails.

According to the NDLEA, Kashamu had been on the wanted list of both the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security.

The statement read in part, “According to an official report, Kashamu has been on the wanted list of both the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security.

“Kashamu was indicted in the Northern District of Illinois, United States, on charges brought against him by ICE.

“According to the United States court documents, Kashamu in his days as the leader of a prolific heroin-trafficking ring based in Chicago, Illinois, was known as ‘god,’ ‘Daddy, and ‘Kasmal.’ He is wanted to stand trial for charges of conspiracy and importation of controlled substances, namely heroin, into the United States dating back to 1994.

“Kashamu, who holds dual Nigerian/Beninoise citizenship, has taken multiple pre-emptive actions to thwart US extradition efforts such as claiming that he was being mistaken for his deceased brother whom he claimed committed the alleged offences in the US.”

The statement also said that Kashamu had filed injunctions at courts in the Northern District of Illinois, United States, and in Nigeria to prevent his arrest and prosecution.

The NDLEA said, “These are issues that Kashamu should prepare to address rather than point accusing fingers at eminent elder statesmen who have no connection with the ongoing investigative process. The senator who was placed on house arrest at the weekend is expected to appear in court in less than 24 hours.

“We expect Kashamu, as a distinguished senator-elect, to demonstrate ample confidence in the Nigerian judicial system and stop the blame game.”

Meanwhile, armed NDLEA operatives have gained access into the residence of the embattled politician, where he has been confined to his bedroom.

His lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, who spoke with our correspondent near the residence, on Sunday, said Kashamu had not been allowed to leave his bedroom since Saturday.

Oluyede said, “He has been locked inside the room while about 15 armed operatives are in the house. As I speak to you, I have not even seen him. We have only been talking through the door.

This is disheartening because his little children and his pregnant wife are all in the house with him.”

When asked to comment on the allegation that Kashamu threatened suicide, the lawyer said, “He is obviously traumatised but I wouldn’t say he is suicidal.”

Oluyede alleged that the NDLEA had no plan of taking Kashamu to court on Monday (today) but only later decided to do so because the media got involved.

“Their plan was to get him as early as 4am and put him on the plane to the United States. It was never their plan to take him to court. It was when the media reported the incident that they decided to take him to court,” he said.

About 15 patrol vehicles were seen blocking all entries that lead to Kashamu’s home while over 20 security agents were seen patrolling the street.

Residents of the estate were made to take alternative routes as all roads leading to Kashamu’s home were blocked.

In his reaction, the media aide to Kashamu, Austin Oniyokor, however, berated the drug agency, accusing it of being the mouthpiece of Obasanjo and George.

The statement said, “We do not know when the NDLEA becomes the spokespersons for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Bode George. We do not need them to tell us to address our issues.

“We are addressing our issues. We had told the court of the planned abduction of Kashamu and the NDLEA was represented. The court had given an order asking all the parties to stay action, pending the determination of the suit which had been fixed for Wednesday.”

Oniyokor explained that Kashamu refused to hand himself over to the NDLEA operatives, who stormed his Lagos residence on Ladipo Street, Lekki Phase 1, on Saturday, because they could not produce a warrant of arrest.

He said if the NDLEA provides a warrant of arrest against Kashamu, the PDP chieftain would “hand himself over to them but if not, he will not.”

But a member of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, described the allegation by Kashamu that George was behind his travails as sad and ridiculous.

A statement by Babatope on Sunday said, “It is sad and ridiculous of Senator-elect, Chief Buruji Kashamu, to accuse Chief Bode George of being behind his current ordeal with the men of the NDLEA.

“This allegation is not true. I have known George for over 46 years and I know him never to go on a witch-hunt of anyone as a result of personal differences or disagreements. Though the wife of George is the Director-General of the NDLEA, he can never attack the person of Kashamu.

“I call on Kashamu to look somewhere else in locating those who might have been involved in his travails.”

Be ready to defend yourself before High Court - NDLEA tells Kashamu