The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has denied allegations that the command released three drug suspects without prosecution.
NDLEA Commander in Kwara, Mrs Fatima Popoola told newsmen on Friday in Ilorin that the three suspects were still in its custody contrary to insinuations.
Popoola said that she was highly disappointed at the allegation of members of the Central Zone, Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union (IEDPU) that the command had contemplated releasing the suspects without prosecution.
“IEDPU released a statement that NDLEA wants to release suspects without prosecuting them.
“The radio station also proceeded by using the statement without confirming the allegations.
“This is very wrong and not acceptable. It is an attempt to damage the name of the Agency and I am against this,” she said.
The NDLEA commander explained that the people of Okelele area, where the three suspects were arrested, never reported to the Agency that there were people selling ilicit drugs in their area.
“The community leaders never thought of reporting to NDLEA about the drug activities in their area.
“We only got to know through our sources and arrested three suspects with exhibits.
“I intend to prosecute both users and dealers because I have been rightly briefed that those people in the area are notorious.
“One of the suspects pleaded that he had a Police job interview and when I asked for evidence, he printed it out from his phone,” she said.
Popoola said that she later received a call from some members of the community that the people of Okelele area were grateful, saying that they would visit the command and have a discussion, but they refused to show up.
She further said that it was a big surprise to hear the allegation over the radio, that the Agency contemplated releasing one of the suspects.
“How can NDLEA release a suspect without anybody to stand surety for him, even if he truly has a job interview.
“My officers were stoned at Okelele area during the operation, harassed and called thieves.
“Yet they alleged that we want to release the suspect without their consent,” the commander said.
However, Alhaji Ajao Ahmed, Chairman of IEDPU Ilorin Central Zone, said that he heard from a reliable source that NDLEA wants to release the suspects.
Ahmed said that it was a thing of joy to hear that the agency had no intention of releasing any of the susects.