The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has berated the Senator representing Kwara South, Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, for branding the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as the most corrupt and compromised government agency in Nigeria.
National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, at a media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja said the senator’s claim was baseless, politically motivated and a figment of his imagination, a representation not befitting a distinguished representative of the people.
Senator Ashiru had on Tuesday said the NDLEA is the most corrupt and compromised government agency in Nigeria.
He said this while contributing to the debate on a ‘Bill for an Act to Establish National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation’.
He added that NDLEA has failed in its mandate woefully, thereby giving credence to creation of another drug-related agency.
He said, “The failure of NDLEA has resulted in the high rate of drug trafficking going on in the country. The NDLEA is corrupt and compromised, hence, I support the creation of the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation,” Ashiru had said.
However, Onwubiko, in his statement, expressed dismay at the senator’s comments, questioning how a legislator could stand on the floor of the National Assembly and make sweeping allegations without presenting concrete evidence to support his claims.
He said Senator Ashiru’s remarks lack any form of credibility as they are not backed by specifics, evidence, or facts but rather appear to be driven by sentiments and possible ulterior motives.
“We find it alarming that a lawmaker would make such a ‘reckless’ and generalised allegation against one of Nigeria’s most hardworking agencies. This is simply based on nothing but sentiment and perhaps hatred for certain individuals within the NDLEA,” Onwubiko said.
He said this trend of politically motivated smear campaigns against government institutions is becoming rampant and must be checked.
He also raised concerns about the timing of the allegations, suspecting that there is a larger conspiracy behind Senator Ashiru’s outburst.
He said the NDLEA, under the leadership of Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), has seen unprecedented success in its war against narcotics and drug trafficking, insisting that the agency has made significant strides in arresting drug barons, prosecuting high-profile individuals involved in drug-related crimes, and strengthening Nigeria’s international standing in the fight against drugs.
Onwubiko said NDLEA’s recent successes have rattled several powerful individuals who may now be resorting to political maneuvers to destabilise the agency’s operations, thus the genesis of the bill to establish a National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, which Senator Ashiru supports, appears to be part of a coordinated effort to undermine NDLEA’s accomplishments and weaken the current counter-narcotics strategy.
He also cited remarks made by the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, earlier this year, in January, who warned that drug barons and internet scammers have infiltrated politics, using it as a haven to evade law enforcement and continue their illicit activities.
“HURIWA strongly opposed the establishment of a new drug-related agency, it would be a needless duplication of functions. The NDLEA already has departments dedicated to drug awareness and rehabilitation, which have performed exceptionally well.
“The proposal to create another agency with similar functions would only serve to weaken the NDLEA’s capacity and could be seen as a deliberate attempt to destabilize its operations. This bill is not just redundant; it is a direct attack on the NDLEA.
“The NDLEA’s public awareness programs and rehabilitation efforts are already effective, so there is no need for another agency. The only thing this bill will achieve is to divide resources and energy, ultimately weakening the fight against drug barons,” Onwubiko said.
He urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the motivations behind the proposed bill and those sponsoring it, and the bill’s proponents should be scrutinised to determine whether there are links to individuals or groups seeking to undermine the NDLEA’s fight against narcotics.
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