The Senate has called for proper investigation of the N2bn worth of cocaine intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Apapa Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
The drug, which was intercepted on October 13, 2016, had been handed over to the NDLEA by the Customs.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Senator Joshua Lidani, who led members of the committee on oversight visit to the offices and facilities of the NDLEA in Lagos, called for synergy among security operatives at the seaports.
A statement by the Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Saturday said members of the committee, who were received by the Director General, Mrs. Roli Bode-George, at the Ikoyi headquarters of the agency, also inspected facilities at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and the Tincan Island Port commands.
Lidani was quoted as saying, “We have observed that there is friction and lack of synergy between the Nigeria Customs and the NDLEA at the seaport. At the airport, there is a good collaboration but this is not so at the seaport. Agencies of government must work together in harmony because they have a common goal.
“Besides, the NDLEA must be properly positioned at the seaports to monitor and intercept narcotics. The suspected cocaine seizure made by the Customs and handed over to the NDLEA on Thursday October 13, 2016, should be properly investigated.”
The NDLEA said it assured the lawmakers of detailed investigation into the case, saying that investigation had commenced and findings from the investigation would be provided in due course.
The agency said the suspected substance tested positive for cocaine, weighting of 214.732kg. The drug was concealed in eight bags, each containing 25 blocks, it added.
The statement said the lawmakers, who were not satisfied with the state of facilities at the NDLEA, called for improved funding and provision of logistic support.
It quoted Lidani as saying, “Our mission is to see how the agencies under our supervision are performing in terms of their mandates. The Senate has oversight responsibility over agencies funded by the government, with a view to identifying areas of waste, challenges and areas where the mandate is being misapplied for appropriate action to be taken.
“We have discovered that most of the supports for the NDLEA are coming from foreign countries and organisations. This is not good for the country. The problem is ours and we need to tackle it, using our resources while others can only support. The dog unit needs to be expanded to cover all the sensitive areas like seaports and land borders.”
Punch
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