The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has faulted the claims of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), indicting some of its officers in the ongoing investigation of a 25kg cocaine deal.
Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, on Wednesday said while it is against the claims made by police that some of it agents conspired with the embattled police officer, Abba Kyari to facilitate the clearing of a 25kg cocaine deal, it remains committed to evidence-based investigation.
Kyari, the former Commander of the defunct Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Force Headquarters, was alleged to be part of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug route. Kyari is in the NDLEA’s custody alongside four other senior police officers.
Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Monday, had said that police investigation established the international narcotics cartel involved in the case have strong ties with some officers of the NDLEA at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu who are on their payroll.
“The two arrested drug couriers also confirmed that they have been enjoying this relationship with the NDLEA officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport since 2021 and had in this instant case of 19th January, 2022, been identified and cleared by the NDLEA officers as customary, having received their pre-departure photographs and other details prior to their arrival in Enugu, and were on their way out with the narcotics when they were apprehended by the Police,” the police spokesman had said.
But, Babafemi in a statement issued on Wednesday described the claims as misrepresentation of facts, adding that it does not the confession Kyari made while speaking to its agent.
Babafemi said its investigation established fact that it is “Abba Kyari’s team that was contacted by the cartel and without doubt the records clearly show how their ring works.”
The statement reads, “Recall that after NDLEA requested for Kyari and others for interrogation, they were questioned by the police, after which they were handed over along with the report of their interrogation.
“According to the police investigation report, ASP James Bawa in his statement to the police reveals that ‘he was called by an informant identified as IK from Brazil who told him that a drug courier will be arriving on board Ethiopian Airlines in Enugu.
“He explained further that a pointer from IK, the Brazil based informant met with him at about 1420hrs on 19th January 2022 outside the airport and showed him a picture of the courier. Subsequently, they sighted the suspect as he exited the airport terminal after all arrival clearance formalities, and he was arrested with another associate.”
Babafemi said in a recorded conversation with the NDLEA’s undercover officer, Abba Kyari also said the following: “They are greedy, seriously greedy (referring to his informants), we tried to have them accept 40% but they refused, except 50%, they know the rudiment of the deal very well. They are the ones that do the packing. From Brazil, one of the informants accompanied it to Ethiopia. You understand; one of the informants accompanied the goods to Ethiopia, one of the informants that give us information. He is the boy of the big baron.
“Addis, from Addis it will be given to those to proceed further with it, he will get their snapshots without their knowledge. Yes, he will reveal those that are conveying it further, get snapshots of theirs without their knowledge and send to us (Abba Kyari’s team).
“So we already know the goods, picture and the cloths they are wearing, hope you understand, we know your name, he will give us everything. So, automatically my team will just be waiting, they will just see you and arrest you.
“Responding to our officer’s question on whether his boys are usually stationed inside or outside the airport, Abba Kyari said, ‘Yes, yes, some are outside while some are inside. They will just allow you to finish arrival formalities and arrest you the moment you come out.
“The above no doubt establishes who the cartel was relating with and their modus operandi. Again, this is to correct inaccuracies in some reports and assure that the Agency will not deviate from an evidence-based investigation that will spare nobody found complicit.”
