Police open Pandora Box of drug deals, reveal NDLEA officials in Enugu on payroll of international drug cartels  

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is beginning to open the Pandora Box on illicit drug deals in Nigeria after the arrest of suspended DCP Abba Kyari and four police officers. The police revealed that the force discovered the investigation into the cocaine deal involving DCP Abba Kyari and four other police officers, that some operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) deployed to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, are on the payroll of drug cartels.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement indicated that “upon the demand for the arrest of Kyari and his cohorts, the Inspector General of Police ordered a high-level, discreet, and in-house investigation into the allegations.

“The interim investigation’s report revealed that two (2) international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on the 19th of January 2022 upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917.”

CSP Adejobi disclosed that the police investigation established that the international narcotics cartel involved in the case has strong ties with some officers of the NDLEA at the Enugu Airport who are on their payroll.

The statement read in part: “The two arrested drug couriers confirmed that the modus is for the transnational drug barons to conspire with the NDLEA officers on duty and send them their pre-boarding photographs for identification, seamless clearance, and unhindered passage out of the airport with the narcotics being trafficked.

“The two arrested drug couriers also confirmed that they have been enjoying this relationship with the NDLEA officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport since 2021 and had in this instant case of 19th January 2022, been identified and cleared by the NDLEA officers as customary, having received their pre-departure photographs and other details prior to their arrival in Enugu, and were on their way out with the narcotics when they were apprehended by the Police.”

The FPRO also disclosed that the police investigations report indicted suspended DCP Abba Kyari for complicity in alleged official corruption, tampering with narcotics exhibit and sundry unprofessional conducts that negate the standard administrative and investigative protocols of the Force as well as extant criminal laws.

CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi noted that the involvement of DCP Abba Kyari in these allegations occurred while his was on suspension from service.

The FPRO indicated that the Inspector General of Police formally requested that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to ensure the identification, arrest, and investigation of the NDLEA operatives who have also been found colluding with the international drug cartel, as he handing over the indicted police officers.

The IGP assured the public of his administration’s commitment to upholding the tenets and values of policing in line with the agenda of ethical regeneration, restoration of professional standard, enhancement of the anti-corruption drive, respect for the rule of law, and inter-agency collaboration in the drive to stabilise the internal security order of the country.