Mushin drug war: no retreat, no surrender----NDLEA .....as raid turns messier

Emeka Ibemere
The notorious Akala, a ghetto milieu in Mushin area of Lagos State, South-West Nigeria was ordinarily busy with business, religious and social activities on that fateful Saturday 8, February 2014.
Then, wedding, burial and party ceremonies were going on smoothly at the same time as crowds piled up on the stretch street laced with several ‘joints’ on both sides of the street with businesses thriving without hindrances.
 As at 3.45pm local time, gun shots rented the polluted air of Akala and the crowded but busy streets went dry as natives deserted the town; emptying themselves inside available stores and houses not minding the owners of the refuge homes.
Then, the traffic gridlock followed and worsen the confused situation as hooting of the horns and buzzing of the guns mixed in a grill of confusion leaving the residents helpless and helter- ske

suspects

NDLEA operative

Giade

lter.
By the time the pandemonium and the smoking guns fizzled away around 8pm, the long battle for supremacy over who controls the drug deal business going on in Akala has allegedly consumed more than four persons.
The bone of contention was the raid by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)’s attempt to control illicit drug trading and takes away drugs from the drug peddlers and their barons that have turn Mushin: a little ‘Sicilian clan’ in Nigeria.
 NDLEA had stormed the clan in a combined raid operation to cleanse Akala and other areas in Lagos State of illicit drugs but on that day, the operatives met barbered wires and found it difficult to penetrate Akala having been ambushed by the drug barons and their foot soldiers.
It was in an attempt to break the fortress of the cartel that resulted into the fierce battle from the agency and soldiers who were deployed for the operation. Akala, over the years has been a notorious drug haven in Mushin area of Lagos.
The armed hoodlums were said to have gotten a tip-off of the impending raid and prepared for the worse on that day. On sighting the operatives, the barons and their louts attacked a combined team of NDLEA and some soldiers during the raid.
The stiff opposition started when the NDLEA operatives attempted to arrest some drug barons, peddlers and users, operating in the area at the time of the raid. But they allegedly met stiff resistance from some hoodlums who attacked them with bottles and other dangerous weapons, including local pistols.
Not giving no for an answer, witness disclosed that some of the hoodlums who were armed fired bullets at the NDLEA officials and the soldiers. Without retreating and surrendering to the forces of the barons, the raiders were prompted to retaliate the attack and warded off the shame. The operatives and the soldiers took over the control of the Akala clan till the ‘war’ ended around 10pm, when normalcy was returned to the troubled ‘axis of evil’.
According to reports, over four persons were reportedly gunned down in the ensuing shootout while some NDLEA officials sustained severe injuries.
The NDLEA, in a statement said four persons have been arrested by its operatives while cannabis weighing 541.9kg and 32 pinches of substance that tested positive for heroine were recovered at the scene of the clash.
NDLEA’s Spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju in his terse official statement failed to say how many casualties were recorded in the fracas but said, “A combined team of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and army officers at the weekend met stiff resistance from hoodlums at the notorious Akala, Mushin area of Lagos during a drug raid operation”.
According to him, the team of officers led by NDLEA, Assistant Commander Operations and Intelligence, Mr. Ojo Ogbechema, recovered cannabis weighing, 541.9kg and 32 pinches of substance that tested positive for heroin. The spokesman said four suspects were also arrested.
NDLEA Lagos State Commander, Mr Sule Aliyu, added that the operation was successful in spite of the resistance from drug barons. “A combined team of NDLEA and army officers participated in the operation. It was a very successful raid because bags of cannabis weighing 541.9kg and 32 pinches of heroin were recovered”, he explained.
“During the operation, there was an attack on the officers by a large number of hoodlums who threw bottles and stones at the officers. The road was also barricaded but the officers shot into the air to disperse the crowd.” The commander added that two officers who sustained injury had been treated.
In what looked like solidarity to the agency, some residents who spoke to Daily Newswatch on conditions of anonymity said they support the raid and urged NDLEA not to surrender to the barons. According to them, surrendering to the barons would mean handing the community to barons. “And you know what it means”?  One elderly man queried.
Other residents in the area also called on the state government to demolish all the ‘joints’ selling cocaine, heroin and Indian hemps in the area. According to them, it’s high time that the government eradicated the trade in illicit drugs from Akala and other areas in Mushin and Lagos State. They considered the frequent street gang wars in Mushin as drug induced wars.
 Daily Newswatch learned that Akala is the only area in Lagos State where illicit drugs are sold openly and that the residents weren’t comfortable with free flow of illicit drugs, prostitution, gambling, gang wars, and heavy drinking bets that goes on in the area. It was alleged that street cultism, a run- off –the- mill-campus cult system has permitted into the heart of Mushin.
Young boys and girls are alleged to being recruited on daily basis and are also being initiated with smoking of several rounds of hemps before one could be admitted into the goons’ club.

Speaking on the incident, Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade commended the officers for their bravery and sense of discipline in the face of threat to their lives. In his words, “the conduct of the officers is commendable. They exhibited bravery and high sense of discipline in the face of threat to their lives. We shall continue to carry out raid operations on drug barons. Unless they quit the criminal act, they will have no peace”.

The NDLEA boss while thanking Brigadier General Ohifeme Ejemai Commander 9 Brigade for his support; assured that the Agency would continue to fine tune its strategies in dislodging drug trafficking syndicates.  Ofoyeju stated further that all four suspects arrested would be charged to court soon.

However, this is not the first time that Akala would be raided by the NDLEA in the recent times.

It would be recalled that on June 2013, the agency in conjunction with the same Nigerian Army, the police and other security agencies tore the entire Lagos metropolis in and out and by the time, the raid ended in that month, huge illicit drugs of 3,166.15kg were seized while 47 suspects were arrested.

“The Agency will not relent in this all-important fight against the scourge of narcotics,” Giade stated when he was briefed about the suspects.  

The NDLEA boss explained that experts are of the opinion that criminal acts like rape, murder, armed robbery and terrorism are aggravated by substance abuse.

He also urged members of the public to be vigilant and report suspected drug cases to the nearest NDLEA office.

As that was not enough, Operatives of the Lagos State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and military officers again conducted raid in search of drug barons and their drugs. The joint operation embarked upon in November, late last year was very successful as 15 suspected drug traffickers were apprehended with 680.266kg of narcotic drugs mainly cannabis seized. Among the recovered drugs were 316 grammes of methamphetamine and 200 grammes of heroin while others are cannabis.

 The areas covered by the raid were Akala and Akerele Agege, Lagos State.

The NDLEA Lagos Commander, Sule said that the operation was in response to intelligence report received on the affected locations.

“We daily collect and process information on the activities of drug traffickers and conduct raid when it is expedient. The total weight of drugs seized is 680.266kg. Those apprehended are being investigated and very soon they will be charged to court” Aliyu stated.

As that wasn’t enough, NDLEA Lagos State commander in one of their raids last year, discovered a cannabis warehouse during a raid operation. A total of 47 suspected drug traffickers including addicts were apprehended. They include 42 males and five females. “An illegal warehouse was discovered at the scene of operation where 3,166.15kg of drugs mainly cannabis was seized. There were also 31.4 grammes of heroin, 292 grammes of cocaine and 1.9 grammes of methamphetamine which were prepared in pinches meant for local consumption”, Sule stated.

The commander added that the operation is the second raid on Akala in the last seven days. The first operation according to him led to the seizure of 187.355kg of cannabis.

It would be recalled that the NDLEA Chairman met with Governor Babatunde Fashola in February 2013, where the Agency solicited for State support on how to arrest the rising wave of drug trafficking syndicates following the discovery of several methamphetamine production laboratories in the State. NDLEA has commenced investigation and all those found culpable are to be prosecuted while the addicts have been placed on counselling at the Shaw Road Headquarters of the agency.

The then Army Commander in charge of 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Adeniyi Oyebade, assured the NDLEA that he would always provide army officers whenever their support is required. In his words, “the Nigeria Army will continue to lend its support to the anti-drug campaign. The level of success anytime we go on joint operations encourages us to deepen our relationship with the NDLEA” Oyebade stated.

Ahmadu Giade thanked the Brigade Commander for his continuous support to the Agency. “The support from the Nigeria Army is commendable. We shall continue to conduct similar raid operations on locations where drugs are sold and abused. This partnership with the Army shall be sustained and strengthened”.

 As at the ended year 2013, 420 suspected drug traffickers with 8,300.277kg of various drugs in the past 12 months were held. Within the period, 69 persons were convicted for drug related charges while other cases are pending.

 NDLEA state commander, Sule gave the statistics and described drug abuse in Lagos as alarming.

According to Sule, “the problem of drug abuse in the State is alarming. Between January and October, 2013 the command arrested 420 drug traffickers comprising 387 males and 33 females”.

Daily Newswatch gathered that a total of 8,300.277kg of drugs were also seized.

The drugs include 8,186.320kg of cannabis, psychotropic substances 73.450kg, methamphetamine 34.016kg, heroin 4.688kg and cocaine 1.803kg”.

 The commander equally thanked the Nigerian army for collaborating with the Agency in the State.

“Within the period under review, we have had two successful joint operations with the military. The first raid carried out in June 2013, led to the seizure of 3,166.15kg and arrests of 47 suspects. Another raid in November led to the arrest of 15 suspects with 680.266kg of narcotic drugs mainly cannabis”.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, has campaigned against drug trafficking and abuse. The Governor expressed his disgust over merchants of death, and recommended stiffer penalty for drug offenders.

Fashola described the relocation of illegal drug production factories from the State as refreshing. 

 “I am in support of your campaign for stiffer punishment for drug traffickers. In the face of global insecurity, it is impossible not to put a sharper focus on the role drugs play in crime. In most cases, taking human life is done under the influence of drugs. It is therefore refreshing to note that the perpetrators of these illegal drug laboratories are relocating from Lagos” Fashola stated.

To show his commitment in the fight of the dreaded business of illicit drug trafficking, he presented two Toyota Hilux Vehicles to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The vehicles are to assist the Agency in launching attacks on drug traffickers in the State; a gesture that surprised the entire agency in the State.

NDLEA boss, Ahmadu Giade received the vehicles at the Lagos State Government House, Alausa from the Chairman, Lagos State Security Trust Fund; Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey said that the discovery of four Clandestine Laboratories and the arrest of the operators including three Bolivians in the State had forced the drug syndicates to relocate to other areas.

According to Giade, the state of Lagos, presents an unusual challenge for the Agency because of certain characteristics that drug barons find attractive in the state. Hear him.

“Lagos has a large rich population. Besides, the presence of seaports, airport and land borders are conditions that attract drug barons”, he stated. “The discovery of four Clandestine Laboratories for methamphetamine production had forced most of them to relocate from Lagos”.

 According to the drug Czar, the intelligence report at the agency’s disposal concerning the drug barons and their traffickers revealed that most of the barons are on the run to the other neighbouring states.

He said the systematic raid operations of the NDLEA operatives on some dark spots shall be launched against the suspected traffickers and their chief barons in the state no matter wherever they may hide as the action is expedient.

The NDLEA boss added that the contribution of the governor marks the beginning of a long cordial and promising relationship between the Agency and the Lagos State Government.

According to Giade, the agency was in the state earlier this year to intimate the governor about the rate of drug trafficking through the state and that nine months after that report, that the situation has reduced to normalcy.

“I was here in January to inform His Excellency, Governor Fashola of the drug situation in the State then. The situation today is better and this donation is the beginning of a fruitful partnership with the Lagos State Government. I can assure you of a vibrant and promising anti-drug campaign in the State”, Giade promised the governor.

The Governor said that the donation was in response to logistic challenges faced by the Agency.

 “We are aware of your challenges and we have approved two vehicles to assist your men in their operational activities. We are also monitoring because it is a result driven collaboration. Expect more support from the State if we see positive result in respect of these two vehicles,” Fashola assured.

Last year Saturday November 2, Nollywood stars, musicians, comedians, including celebrities across Nigeria, queued behind Yinka Lawanson, a.k.a; Lamboginny in a proposed One Million Man March against drug abuse and trafficking in Lagos State.

The event was packaged by Lawanson in conjunction with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in their fight against drug trafficking and abuse among the youths in Lagos State.

The essence of key celebrities, actors, musicians, comedians, and the likes was the initiative of Lamboginny whose philosophy of reforming the youths tint towards using popular faces who command lots of followers from their youth- fans to bring the gospel of truth about dangers of illicit drugs to these endangered Nigerians. 

Celebs that participated at the one million march were Yinka Lawanson, also known as Lamboginny, Yemi Sax, Skuk, Laide Bakare, Beverly Ada Osu, the Nigerian BBA ‘bad girl’, Micheal Bonny Bassey Sierra-Leonean, BBA, representative, Adeyemi Adeosun (Yemisas), UN peace Awareness, Micheal Okechukwu, (Ruggedman). 

Others are Joke silver, Olisa beat Fm, Osita Iheme a.k.a Pawpaw, CEO Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, CEO Nigezie, Kwame, Yaw of wazobia FM, and the Official Dj is Dj Jimmy Jatt. Other celebrities supporting the event also includes, Olumide, Yemisax, Ruggedman Damilola Adegbite, Mbryo, Denrele (V.J), Kaffy (Dance queen), Yemi Alade, Kennis Music, All Star General pype, Artquake, illami, Akio, TEKNO MILES, OD WOODS, Terry Apala, Kome, Owen Gee (comedian), Mc ice –water, AKPORORO, Laide Bakare, jhybo, Cynthia Morgan, Anny, Halima Abubakar, Gabriel Afolayan and the event was Internationally Supported by the American Consulate and Community.

Ofoyeju said. “The ultimate aim of this national campaign is to sensitize Nigerians on the threat posed by drug crop cultivation, production and smuggling.”  Ofoyeju who represented his chairman explained that the programme was to alert members of the public of their important civic responsibilities in the fight against drug production, trafficking and use.

He said. “Interestingly, this is in line with the mandate of the NDLEA. Section 3, subsections 1 (n), of the NDLEA Act, specifically states that the agency shall take such measures that may ensure the elimination and prevention of the root causes of the problems of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances”.

In explaining the choice of Lamboginny as anti-drug abuse ambassador, Ofoyeju said it was a way of identifying credible Nigerians with burning passion to advance the campaign against drug abuse and peddling. “Lamboginny has demonstrated that being an anti-drug abuse Ambassador is not in words and title but in deeds,” Ofoyeju stated.

It will be recalled that the NDLEA appointed Nollywood star Stella Damasus and music act, Lawanson Yinka, Lamboginny, as anti-drug abuse/trafficking ambassadors because of their proven track records. The duo was officially unveiled as the new ambassadors at the NDLEA headquarters in Lagos. Director General of the agency, Dr. Femi Ajayi, said Stella and Lamboginny were selected for the honour due to their outstanding positive impacts on youths and the society at large. Lamboginny Say No to Crime project, he said, was worthy of emulation while Stella has been inspiring the youths through her many activities and projects.

The Director General of NDLEA, Otunba Femi Ajayi, who made the presentation of certificates to the new ambassadors, noted that they are active champions of efforts against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

In their separate reactions, after the presentation of certificates to them by the agency, Stella and Lamboginny promised not to relent on their efforts, adding that they would do all within their reach to assist the agency and its officials in achieving their primary objectives. The One Million March event was one of those good things Lamboginny has promised to do for the agency coming few months after his appointment.