NDLEA, Senator Ashiru Clash Over Drug Allegations in Kwara

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Deputy Senate Leader, Oyelola Ashiru, have engaged in a heated dispute following the discovery of illicit drugs at two locations linked to the senator in Kwara State. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, accused Ashiru of making unfounded allegations against the agency as a form of vendetta after Ashiru called the NDLEA corrupt during a Senate debate last week.
During a news conference in Ilorin, Marwa, represented by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the agency had raided Ashiru’s residence in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Ilorin in February 2024.

Two aides of the senator, Ibrahim Mohammed and Muhammed Yahaya, were arrested for their involvement in drug-related activities. Marwa also stated that another associate of Ashiru, Oluwatosin Odepidan, was arrested in Offa for drug dealing, later jumping bail but eventually being convicted.

In response, Senator Ashiru refuted the allegations, challenging the NDLEA to prosecute anyone arrested at the so-called drug joints. Through his Special Assistant, Olaitan Adeyanju, Ashiru claimed the accusations stemmed from his outspoken criticism of the NDLEA’s corruption, insisting that no evidence of prosecution had been provided.

Marwa, while appreciating the Senate’s support for the NDLEA’s work, emphasized that the agency felt compelled to address Ashiru’s remarks, which he described as defamatory and baseless. He suggested that Ashiru’s accusations were driven by personal motives rather than public interest, citing the past raids on the senator’s residence and the arrests of his aides.

The NDLEA remains resolute in its stance, asserting that its actions were based on credible intelligence and that it will continue to pursue justice, despite attempts to undermine its efforts. The agency vowed to hold accountable anyone involved in drug-related crimes, regardless of their political position.