NDLEA apprehends 120 suspects, seize 244 PVCs in Akwa Ibom

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Akwa Ibom said on Monday that it arrested 120 suspects in possession of hard drugs during its Pre-election Raid Operations between September 2018 and Jan. 2019.

The State Commander, NDLEA, Mr Mohammed Sokoto, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the activities of the agency in Uyo on Tuesday.

Sokoto said that during the period, the command also seized 51kilogramme of cannabis, 250 grammes of heroin and 17 grammes of cocaine and 500 grammes of tramadol, diazepam and polypro.

“It is customary that when elections are approaching, the NDLEA embark on pre-raid operations to ensure that the elections are carried out without any hitch or hindrance.

“We know that drugs and crimes are symbiotic in nature.

“As such, we carried out series of operations and raids on flashpoints where drugs are being sold, abused and peddled indiscriminately in the state.

“Within this period, we arrested 120 suspects and they are now in various stages of the investigation.

“Youths, usually young men and women, can foment trouble and disrupt election processes, and as such, the NDLEA is out to ensure that we curb crimes, so that election will be free, fair and peaceful.

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“One Joy Monday Adams (Miss), a notorious hard drugs dealer in the state, was arrested with 239 grammes of heroin and has been charged to court.

“She is currently remanded in prison custody for trial within the week.

“A total monetary exhibit of N301, 000 was recovered as proceeds from drug sales,” Sokoto said.

The NDLEA state commander added that during one of the raids on Friday, it arrested one Prince Okon Bassey, in possession of 244 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) belonging to different voters.

Sokoto said that the suspect and the 244 PVCs had been handed over to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom for further investigation.

“One Prince Okon Bassey was arrested with 244 PVCs bearing different identities is currently being transferred to INEC for further investigation.

“This is to show that rigorous search and arrest of drug dealers can also yield to other sources of crimes and arrest of such criminals.

“Although an investigation is ongoing, we could not determine exactly what he intended to do with the 244 PVCs.

“I am sure the resident electoral commissioner to whom I have transferred these PVCs to, will definitely explain in due course,” he said.

The NDLEA commander urged Akwa Ibom people to continue to remain drug-free and law abiding.

He stressed that the security of the country should not be left in the hands of government and security agencies alone.

He charged members of the public with useful information on hard drug dealers to feel free to visit the NDLEA Command in the state, assuring them of guaranteed confidentiality for such informants.

Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom, Mr Mike Igini, has confirmed that the 244 PVCs are now in INEC custody.

Igini said that the suspect had been handed over to the police for further investigation and would soon appear in court.