The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that drugs and illicit substances were found at the residence of Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, representing Kwara South, during a raid earlier this year.
The NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed during a press briefing in Abuja that the operation, which took place in February 2024 at the senator’s GRA home in Ilorin, Kwara State, resulted in the arrest of two of his aides.
The agency responded to the senator’s recent criticism, alleging that his attacks on the NDLEA’s integrity were motivated by personal vendetta following the raid.
The NDLEA emphasized its commitment to its anti-drug campaign, noting that the law applies to everyone, regardless of their political status.
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The NDLEA stated, “The personal house of the senator… had been raided in recent past, where drugs and illicit substances were recovered, while two of his aides were arrested.”
“In another encounter with the senator, the Agency also received intelligence that some of his boys popularly known as Omo Senator operating from his home town, Offa, were equally dealing in illicit drugs.
“A raid was subsequently carried out on their joint in Offa where one of them, Oluwatosin Odepidan was arrested and illicit drugs such as methamphetamine and cannabis recovered from him on June 11, 2023.
“The bid to get the Agency to drop the case against Odepidan including a visit to the Kwara State Command headquarters of the Agency in Ilorin by the Personal Assistant to the senator, one Omoluabi, was rebuffed as Odepidan was promptly charged to court and prosecuted.
“Though the culprit jumped court bail in 2023, he was re-arrested in 2024 after the court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. He was eventually convicted and sentenced in June 2024.
“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, the type that nobody within and outside of government has ever levelled against NDLEA before.”
This disclosure came after Senator Ashiru accused the agency of being “corrupt and compromised” during a Senate plenary debate.
The NDLEA said the senator’s comments were motivated by his negative experiences with the Agency, which had previously apprehended individuals linked to drug-related activities from his residence.
Despite the allegations, the NDLEA reiterated its commitment to fighting drug trafficking and abuse, dismissing the senator’s claims as defamatory and not reflective of the Agency’s work.
The Agency noted that it remains a leader in drug enforcement, with accolades from local and international bodies.
The NDLEA affirmed it would continue its efforts to dismantle all drug networks, including those connected to the senator’s home.
(PoliticsNigeria)
