Crime
Brutality: Lagos Estate Petitions Marwa To Relocate NDLEA Office
There’s an ongoing imbroglio between residents of the Gbagada Phase 11 Resident’s Association and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over accusations of brutality and incessant harassment.
Consequently, the residents have petitioned the Chairman, NDLEA, Buba Marwa, alleging that officials of the agency were riding on the location of their office within the estate to indulge in unruly behavior and brutalise them.
President and Vice President of the Association, Manso Odusanya, and Adebiyi Mabadeje, in a petition to Marwa, dated May 6, 2024, alleged that the NDLEA officials had been in the habit of harassing young ladies and causing trouble at the estate’s gates.
In the petition, they chronicled their relationship with the NDLEA, including how they objected to the siting the Lagos State Command of the agency within the estate, and how it was resolved with assurances from the then Chairman that stay would be temporary and conduct professional.
The petition read in part, “About two years ago, we noticed some unusual movements and developments going on in a property within the estate. The developer was invited for discussion and we came to understand that the NDLEA is the project owner and they were moving their state command to the estate.
“The association protested immediately and wrote protest letters to the government agency in charge of physical planning, which came into the estate to stop the construction of the cell, this area being strictly residential.
“The press came into the estate to investigate this and their findings were publicised. This resulted in a series of meetings between the association and the officials of the agency, including a meeting with the agency’s chairman in their office within the estate.
“The chairman promised that our objection was noted and that their stay would be temporary while they would do all within themselves to ensure their staff and operatives respect the rules of the estate and avoid frictions that may cause embarrassment.”
They residents are now lamenting that in spite of the assurances, the estate had been distressed by security breaches with attendant bodily harm to members of the community and its security staff.
“The estate invested in its private security team that is responsible for maintaining security and order. On many occasions, the NDLEA operatives have brutalised our team members just because they insist they must stay within the rules.
“In one instance, one of our security operatives was brutalised and on another occasion, our security gate was broken by the NDLEA operatives just because they wanted to force themselves in at odd hours. It is significant to note that in all instances, the officers involved were drunk, therefore acting under the influence of alcohol.
“We received complaints from our members of instances where their staff or even members of their families were harassed or approached by the NDLEA officials while walking around the estate. Many of our streets now witness indiscriminate parking resulting from activities of the NDLEA officials and their visitors who troop into the estate, at times in search of their detained relatives.”
The association also complained about the NDLEA official’s attitude to waste management, and expressed worry that it might endanger the health of residents in the estate.
It decried the unprofessional conduct of officials of the agency, including drunkenness and flagrant abuse of laid down security procedures in the estate.
“The presence of the NDLEA in an estate like ours, which is supposed to be residential, has compromised the security of our estate in many ways and made it more challenging for us to screen visitors coming into our estate, particularly at odd hours.
“We have regularly received complaints from those residing around the NDLEA office about the traumatising effects of the sound emanating from the NDLEA office when they are carrying out their usual military exercise and at times guns were shot as part of the exercise.
“In view of the above-stated facts, we are using this medium to request that the NDLEA office be relocated out of our estate so that the peace normally associated with our estate can be restored,” it stated.
On his part, the NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, affirmed that the issues raised were being jointly looked into to address them.
He added, “Indeed, a meeting was held just earlier today between a delegation from the estate and our team, meaning we’re responsive. Our presence in the community has largely enhanced the security of the neighbourhood, as was obvious during instances when there had been attempts to breach the security of the estate, especially during the last general elections.
“So, if there are areas of concern, we’re working with those concerned to address them and I can assure them that concrete actions are being taken as already directed by the leadership of the agency from Abuja.”
Former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, is currently being interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of financial misappropriation, procurement violations, and diversion of public funds amounting to ₦138 million.
Sources within the anti-graft agency confirmed that Ohanenye arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 11 a.m. on Thursday and remains in custody for questioning.
A top EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed, “Investigators are questioning former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, over her alleged role in the misappropriation, violation of procurement processes, and diversion of public funds totaling ₦138,413,253.89.”
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According to findings by the commission, the alleged fraud was linked to the disbursement of the ministry’s 2023 budgeted allocation. Investigators also claim that donations meant for the ‘P-Bat Cares for Women Initiative’ were diverted for the former minister’s personal use.
Efforts to reach EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Ohanenye was among the five ministers sacked in October 2024 after the 19th Federal Executive Council meeting held at the State House.
Following her removal, President Bola Tinubu reappointed Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, the former Minister of State for Police Affairs, as the new Minister of Women Affairs.
The EFCC’s investigation is ongoing, with further developments expected in the coming days.
The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has postponed the arraignment of gospel music executive Ezekiel Onyedikachi, popularly known as EeZee Tee, in a case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Justice Alexander Owoeye, who presided over Thursday’s session, cited “administrative procedures” as the reason for the delay, adjourning the matter until May 14, 2025.
The case, which has drawn public attention, centers on financial and contractual disputes. EeZee Tee was present in court as the proceedings unfolded.
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While details of the allegations remain undisclosed, the music executive has continued to assert his innocence.
His legal team has also expressed confidence in a favorable outcome.
With the adjournment, all parties will now await the next court session.
In a bold step towards ensuring the safety of its citizens and curbing criminal activities, the Edo State Government has commenced the demolition of houses linked to kidnappers.
A government house statement on Tuesday night revealed that Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Akhere Paul said the demolition exercise was in accordance with the law.
Biztellers reports that Akhere led the security personnel on the demolition exercise that took place in Illeh, Esan West Local Government Area and Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
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On the state government’s commitment to securing the lives and properties of its citizens, Akhere emphasized that the administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo will not tolerate any house or establishment used as a hideout for criminal activities and called on landlords to ensure proper profiling of their tenants before subletting their properties.
In his words, “This house has been used for criminal activities. They keep kidnapped victims here, and a raid by men of the Nigerian Police Force recovered some dangerous weapons as well.”
He cited that the new law on kidnapping recently passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo, any house found being used for kidnapping activities will be demolished.
“This will serve as a deterrent to others. You must profile a person before giving out your house to him or her for rent. Go to the police station and let them help you in profiling the new person before you give out your property. You must verify their identity, where they work, and who they are to avoid unfortunate incidence as this,” Akhere added.
He assured the people of the State, that the exercise will be a continuous one as the State Government under Gov Okpebholo has given a marching order to flush out all criminal elements in the State and make it habitable for all.
In the same vein, the Commander, Special Task Force, SP Michael Anetor, said the exercise which is in accordance with the law would serve as a deterrent to others and help checkmate kidnapping and other criminal activities in the State.
He called on all Edo citizens to assist in the fight against kidnapping by keeping watch over their vicinities and reporting suspicious activities to the nearest police station or to members of the Special Task Force, stressing that, “a safer and secured Edo is the duty of all.”
The suspects, Utubor Uchenna and Felix Ebama, who belong to a gang of 7, identified the properties as their hideout before the demolition.
Admitting to the crime, they said they had been involved in high profile kidnapping within Edo Central axis with the last operation fetching them N10 million.
The leader of the gang, Utubor Uchenna, noted that their last victim was marked because of the kind of luxury car he drives and was kidnapped alongside a lady.
He said both victims were released unhurt after parting with a ransom of 10 million naira.
The Special Task Force, in conjunction with other security apparatus in the state, has recorded successes of recent in the fight against criminal activities, with many criminal hideouts raided and suspects apprehended and handed over to the police.
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