Enforcement Against Drug Abuse Is Not Selective – NDLEA
NDLEA Reaffirms Evidence-Based Approach to Drug Enforcement
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has clarified its stance on drug enforcement, stating that its operations are impartial and strictly based on evidence. The agency dismissed claims suggesting that arrests are influenced by an individual’s public persona or media representation.
Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, made the comments during a February 14 appearance on TVC’s TownSquare program, which focused on combating drug abuse.
Babafemi emphasized that the agency targets verified criminal conduct rather than assumptions stemming from music videos or social media activity. “Enforcement against drug abuse is not selective; we arrest individuals based on exhibits. We have evidence to support prosecution,” he stated. “For example, while an artist like ID Cabasa may assert he does not consume drugs, that does not negate the activities shown in his music videos.”
He further noted that the NDLEA closely monitors various musical artists but highlighted that possession and use of narcotics remain criminal offenses requiring substantial proof before any action is taken.
In a recent operation, Babafemi reported that the agency successfully apprehended a suspect in Lekki, uncovering a production site for synthetic cannabis, known as Colorado. He cited other enforcement actions, including arrests in a Lagos nightclub, reiterating the importance of timely and concrete evidence for prosecution.
“A case where an individual may have used drugs a year prior and then requests prosecution is not feasible,” he added. “We must have clear, immediate evidence to proceed.”
