STIFFER PENALTY FOR DRUG OFFENCES GOOD FOR NIGERIA - NDLEA BOSS

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has reiterated his call for stiffer
penalty for drug culprits.

Giade made the call on Sunday at the Murtala Mohammed International
Airport (MMIA), Lagos, during a routine visit as three suspected
drug traffickers, including a 19-year-old man, were arrested for
ingesting illicit drugs by the airport command the previous week
were placed on observation.

The NDLEA boss said the involvement of anybody in drug trafficking
could smear the image of the country because "we all carry the same passport."

He, therefore, reaffirmed his call for adequate punishment of
offenders of the illicit trade. "Fifteen years minimum sentence for
unlawful possession as prescribed by the NDLEA Act, no doubt, will
serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to deal in
narcotics and psychotropic substances and also help to enhance the
image of the country" Giade stated.

According to the NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Victor Cole-Showers,
the three suspects are Momoh Kingsley, 19; Amakwe Ogbonna Jeef, 29
and Ojiah Emeka Patrick, 22.

Momoh Kingsley, he said, was arrested on July 4, 2008 for ingesting
77 wraps of substances that proved positive for cocaine as well as
inserting three wraps in his anus.