…NDLEA Vows to Continue Dismantling Illicit Drug Networks, Including One Linked to the Lawmaker’s House
By HeapNews
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has strongly refuted recent allegations made by Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South), describing his comments as a personal vendetta against the Agency. The statement follows Senator Ashiru’s claim during a Senate session on October 15, 2024, that the NDLEA is “corrupt and compromised.”
During a press briefing at its National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, October 21, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, emphasized that the senator’s remarks were not motivated by public interest, but by a series of personal encounters with the Agency. Babafemi detailed several incidents involving drug-related operations at Senator Ashiru’s properties, including the arrest of two of his aides and the recovery of illicit substances from his home.
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“The personal house of the senator in GRA Ilorin, Kwara State, had been raided in the past, where drugs were recovered and his aides arrested. This was based on credible intelligence that confirmed his house was being used as a drug joint,” Babafemi revealed.
He further stated that another operation in Offa, Senator Ashiru’s hometown, led to the arrest of one Oluwatosin Odepidan, found with methamphetamine and cannabis. Babafemi highlighted that attempts to influence the Agency’s legal process in this case were unsuccessful, with the offender eventually convicted in 2024.
“Given these encounters, it’s clear that Senator Ashiru’s outburst stems from a place of vendetta, not altruism,” Babafemi said.
Despite these accusations, the NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to combating drug trafficking across Nigeria. “We remain undeterred by Senator Ashiru’s baseless attacks. The NDLEA will continue dismantling illicit drug networks, including the one operating from the senator’s residence,” Babafemi vowed.
The NDLEA also pointed to the international recognition it has received in recent years, citing support from countries such as the UK, France, and the United States, as evidence of its growing credibility. “An agency that Senator Ashiru claims is ‘the most corrupt’ couldn’t possibly be attracting such international goodwill and commendation,” Babafemi added.
The Agency concluded by reaffirming its professionalism and determination to maintain its fight against drug abuse, stating, “If Senator Ashiru has a personal grudge against the NDLEA, it shouldn’t be disguised as a matter of national concern.”