The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made serious allegations against Senator Oyeyola Ashiru, representing Kwara South in the National Assembly, claiming that illicit drugs were found at his residence.
This revelation follows Senator Ashiru’s recent accusations of corruption within the agency and his call for the establishment of a new anti-drug body.
During a plenary session on October 15, Senator Ashiru criticized the NDLEA, asserting that the agency has been compromised in its duties.
In response, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman of the NDLEA, refuted these claims during a press briefing in Abuja, asserting that the agency’s operations are motivated solely by national interest.
“We believe the senator’s remarks are misplaced,” Marwa stated, as conveyed by Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy.
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“While we respect the Senate’s authority to consider establishing another agency, it is crucial to clarify that our actions stem from a commitment to combat drug trafficking, not personal vendettas.”
The NDLEA disclosed that two of Senator Ashiru’s aides were arrested during a raid at his GRA residence in Ilorin, Kwara State, where illegal substances were allegedly discovered.
Babafemi elaborated, “The operation was executed based on credible intelligence that the senator’s home was being utilized as a hub for drug dealers and users.”
Further investigations revealed a troubling pattern. The NDLEA previously raided a drug operation linked to Senator Ashiru’s associates in Offa, resulting in the arrest of a suspect identified as Oluwatosin Odepidan, who was found in possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.
Despite attempts by the senator’s aides to influence the agency’s actions regarding Odepidan, the case proceeded to court, where he was later convicted.
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The NDLEA emphasized that these encounters may have led to the senator’s recent outburst, which they view as a misrepresentation of the agency’s integrity and operations.
“His statements appear to stem from a place of personal grievance rather than any genuine concern for public interest,” Marwa added.
Highlighting the NDLEA’s commitment to combating drug trafficking, the agency pointed out its recent accomplishments, including over 52,000 arrests and more than 9,000 convictions in the past three years.
The NDLEA has also conducted over 7,000 awareness campaigns and provided rehabilitation for over 33,000 drug users.
Marwa noted the agency’s ongoing reforms since January 2021, crediting the federal and state governments, as well as the National Assembly, for their support in revitalizing the NDLEA.
“We have transformed from a dormant agency into a vibrant organization dedicated to dismantling illicit drug networks,” he concluded.
As the NDLEA navigates this controversy, it continues to seek collaboration with local and international partners to enhance its efforts against drug trafficking and maintain public trust in its operations.