From: wsargeant@igc.apc.org (Winslow L. Sargeant)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african
Subject: IPS:Nigeria, giving drug law enforcement
Date: 25 Jul 92 17:10:13 GMT

/* Written 12:05 am  Jul 24, 1992 by newsdesk in cdp:ips.englibrary */
/* ---------- "NIGERIA: GIVING DRUG LAW ENFORCEMEN" ---------- */
Copyright Inter Press Service 1992, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Area: Opecna Morning Transmission
Reference: Third World Dvpmnt
Title: NIGERIA: GIVING DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT TEETH


an inter press service feature

by toye olori

lagos, july 21 (ips) -- following the recent shooting of an
official of nigeria's national drug law enforcement agency
(ndlea), the agency is awaiting the justice ministry's approval
to use firearms in its operations.

the shooting was but one incident of threats and harrassment
of ndlea officials by drug dealers since the agency was set up
1989 to curb the mounting menace of drug trafficking and abuse
in this west african country.

''my men will be armed to the teeth. therefore, barons and
peddlers alike who still insist on remaining in the drug
business should just be ready to die,'' said ndlea chair, fulani
kwajafa.

however, nlea is still awaiting permission to use arms
pending an amendment to the 1989 decree by the military
government of president ibrahim babangida creating the agency.

an official at the ministry of justice who declined to be
named, told ips monday that the ministry is still looking into
the proposal for an amendment.

under the drug law enforcement decree, convicted drug
offenders are jailed for life while the property and assets of
suspects arrested for narcotic offences is seized and on
conviction forfeited to the state.

while awaiting the amendment to the decree, ndlea is in the
meantime intensifying its war against the drug peddlers.

so far, 195 officers have been trained in the ndlea institute
in jos, plateau state. subject to government approval, plans are
underway to send agents to nigerian embassies overseas.
(more/ips)


nigeria: arming (2)

according to the ndlea chair, if officers are attached to
nigerian embassies, it will be possible to detect both nigerians
and foreigners impersonating nigerians in the drug trafficking
business.

kwajafa said about 25 percent of suspects arrested abroad
were infact not nigerians but persons from neighbouring
countries who obtained nigerian passports illegally.

''the agency recognises that the root of our trafficking
problem lies at porous ports and lack of adequate facilities. we
are seeking to enhance our security to deter and detect
narcotics before they leave nigerian territory,'' kwajafa said.

the ndlea has also set up drug control committees in the 30
states of the federation to stem the wave of drug abuse which
officials say is now widespread in nigeria.

according to ndlea, because of its activities, traffickers
are having difficulty smuggling out drugs that have already been
brought into the country, thereby increasing local consumption.

the committees are also charged with evaluating the drug
abuse situation, organising anti-drug campaigns and
coordinating all anti-drug abuse activities in the states.

''we will continue to cooperate with all other concerned
nations of the world to make the united nations global plan of
action against drug abuse a reality,'' kwajafa said
(end/ips/to/tvh/oa/92)


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