The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has swiftly responded to corruption allegations made by Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, representing Kwara South Senatorial District. The agency dismissed the claims, stating they were driven by a personal vendetta rather than national interest.

According to the NDLEA, Senator Ashiru's accusations stem from previous encounters between the agency and individuals linked to the senator. In February 2024, the NDLEA raided the senator's residence in Ilorin, Kwara State, recovering drugs and illicit substances and arresting two of his aides.

The agency stated this at its National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, October 21, during a press briefing in response to a disparaging statement made by Senator Ashiru that "the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is corrupt and compromised."

"The NDLEA is compelled to hold this press briefing today due to an unfortunate development earlier last week during the Nigerian Senate's plenary session, when some uncomplimentary, unfounded, and defamatory remarks were made against the agency," the NDLEA said.

While acknowledging the Senate's great work towards Nigeria's and Nigerians' upliftment, especially their support for the ongoing concerted efforts to amend the NDLEA Act, the agency stated it is duty-bound to respond to the unprovoked attack by Senator Ashiru.

The agency waited for a whole week, hoping the lawmaker would clarify his position on the weighty allegation, but when he failed to do so, it had no option but to set the record straight for the benefit of other distinguished senators, local and international partners, and the general public.

According to the text of the press briefing read by the Agency's Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, "There is no doubt that setting up another agency is within the Senate's power, and if we are invited to contribute to the debate, we will be willing to offer our opinion."

The agency found that Senator Ashiru's statement came from a place of vendetta, rather than public interest or altruistic motive, following previous encounters with the senator. The senator's house in GRA Ilorin, Kwara State's capital, had been raided, recovering drugs and illicit substances and arresting two of his aides, Ibrahim Mohammed and Muhammed Yahaya.

Based on credible intelligence and surveillance confirming the senator's house was used as a drug joint for dealers and users, operatives raided the house at 1:30 pm on February 4, 2024.

In another encounter, the agency received intelligence that some of the senator's associates, known as Omo Senator, operating from Offa, were dealing in illicit drugs. A raid on their joint in Offa led to the arrest of Oluwatosin Odepidan and the recovery of methamphetamine and cannabis on June 11, 2023.

The bid to drop the case against Odepidan, including a visit to the Kwara State Command headquarters by the senator's Personal Assistant, Omoluabi, was rebuffed. Odepidan was charged to court, prosecuted, and convicted in June 2024.

Despite Senator Ashiru's claims, the NDLEA has continued to receive accolades from local and international bodies for its successes in fighting substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The day after Senator Ashiru's statement, the NDLEA in Lagos commissioned a new Marine Command Headquarters building donated by the UK Government. Similar facilities were donated by the British government last year and the United States INL, executed by UNODC, in the past 12 months.

The agency has received support from France, Germany, the US, and others. In the past three years, NDLEA has emerged as a regional leader among national drug law enforcement agencies.

Considering our encounters with individuals linked to him, we believe Senator Ashiru's allegations were driven by vendetta rather than public interest.

As an agency, we have been professional in our activities and interactions, making over 52,000 arrests and securing more than 9,000 convictions, including three life sentences this year. We have also engaged in over 7,000 awareness and sensitization activities in schools and workplaces.