NDLEA Investigates Arrest of 3 Nigerian Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
Chairman/Chief
Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Col.
Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd), today ordered investigation into
the arrest of three Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia in connection with
substances suspected to be cocaine.
NDLEA
said Abdallah who expressed disappointment over the unfortunate
incident constituted a panel of inquiry headed by the Director of
Operations and
General Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo to immediately investigate the
incident.
He promised that the
agency would address the situation with every sense of seriousness and
urgency, adding that NDLEA had also deployed more investigators to all
the screening areas at the hajj camps nationwide.
According
to the NDLEA boss, "Narcotic smuggling is criminal and the involvement
of pilgrims is utterly reprehensible. This is unfortunate and we are
working very hard to get to the root of it. The Agency is handling this
case with every sense of seriousness and urgency because this action has
negatively affected the image of Nigeria. We have also taken measures
to intensify the on-going screening of pilgrims
who are yet to depart to Saudi Arabia to prevent a re-occurrence of the
sad incident".
Abdallah assured members of the public that the NDLEA would get to the root of the incident.
He
gave the terms of reference for the panel of inquiry include to
ascertain the circumstances behind the non-detection of the pilgrims
before takeoff,
identification of possible sponsors and source of drug supply as well as
make recommendations on effective screening of pilgrims.
The
NDLEA boss also called on pilgrims to uphold the principle of probity,
patriotism and eschew any act capable of bringing
the image of the country to disrepute and promised to take necessary
steps aimed at bringing any person or group of persons involved in the
criminal act to justice.
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