Traditional ruler confesses to the crime and is awaiting prosecution
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A traditional ruler on the wanted list of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for years has just been arrested for dealing in Indian hemp, also known as cannabis sativa, and other illegal drugs.
NDLEA Sokoto Commander Adamu Iro announced the arrest of Umar Mohammed, a village head of Rugga in Kajiji Ward of Shagari Council in the state, who confessed to the crime and is now awaiting arraignment in court.
Iro explained when he paraded Mohammed before the press that the suspect was arrested following intelligence provided the command.
He said the suspect had been on the wanted list of the command for a long time.
“Earlier before now we arrested his wife in possession of large amount of illicit drugs but we released her following an investigation that the drugs belongs to her husband.
“On August 22, we have been able to reach him and found 436.381 kg of cannabis sativa and 1 kg of Diazepam at his residence,” Iro recounted.
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Prosecution
Iro said Mohammed confessed to the crime and also firmed he has been in the illegal business for a long time, which would ensure speedy investigation and the arraignment of the suspect in court, per Vanguard reporting.
He gave an assurance to Sokoto residents that the NDLEA is determined to raid drug peddlers in the state and ensure their prosecution.
He urged the public to support the NDLEA to achieve its mandate of ending all forms of drug abuse and related crimes in society.
Customs impounds 3,851kg cannabis worth N308m
Parcels of cannabis weighing a total 3,851 kilograms and worth N308 million were also recently seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A.
Acting FOU Zone A Controller Hussein Ejibunu disclosed two suspects, Ebuka Mbamalu and Iruka Chita, were arrested over the illegal drugs on the Ogere-Ilaro Expressway in Ogun.
He said the suspects were handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution – Mbamalu for possessing 627kg of cannabis and Chita for possessing 80 parcels.
Ejibunu cited the importance of agency synergy like the one between the Customs and the NDLEA which facilitated the operation.
“As a nation,” he stressed, “it is our responsibility to ensure the security of lives and property and to ensure that illicit items do not find their way into the country.
“Cannabis sativa is a substance that is widely used by criminals, kidnappers, bandits and even Boko Haram. They use this substance to charge up in a way to allow them to carry out dastard acts.
“We are completely resolute to ensure continuous synergy, I am putting it across to you today that the synergy will be completely resounded.”