The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has accused Senator Lola Ashiru, who represents Kwara South, of involvement in illegal drug-related activities.
The accusation comes after Senator Ashiru recently criticized the NDLEA, labeling it the “most corrupt and compromised government agency” during a Senate debate on a bill seeking to establish an institute for drug awareness and rehabilitation.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, addressed Ashiru’s claims, attributing the senator’s outburst to a raid conducted on his residence in Ilorin, Kwara State, earlier this year.
Babafemi revealed that NDLEA operatives had raided Ashiru’s personal home in GRA Ilorin on February 4, 2024, based on credible intelligence that the house was being used as a drug joint. During the raid, two of the senator’s aides, Ibrahim Mohammed and Muhammed Yahaya, were arrested, while a third suspect managed to escape.
“Based on credible intelligence and surveillance which confirmed that the Senator’s house was being used as a drug joint for drug dealers and users, the house was raided by our operatives at 1:30pm on February 4, 2024,” Babafemi explained.
The NDLEA spokesman suggested that Senator Ashiru’s negative comments about the agency were likely driven by personal vendetta due to the agency’s previous actions.
“So, going by this backstory, it is deductible that these encounters that the Agency has had with the Senator must have been responsible for his outburst, and unfortunately, false allegation,” Babafemi stated.
Babafemi further defended the NDLEA’s record, highlighting the agency’s progress over the past three years and its reputation as a regional leader among national drug enforcement agencies. He emphasized that the NDLEA has garnered international commendation for its efforts, contradicting the senator’s corruption claims.
“An agency so badmouthed by Senator Ashiru couldn’t have been attracting such international goodwill and commendation,” Babafemi added.
The NDLEA maintains that Senator Ashiru’s accusations are a result of his personal grievances with the agency and are not reflective of public interest.
