Pilgrims’ arrest: NDLEA floods Hajj camps with investigators

…sets up panel of inquiry

The chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd.), yesterday said that the Agency has deployed more investigators to all Hajj screening camps nationwide.

This move came after the arrest of three Nigerian Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, over their alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

Abdallah, who expressed disappointment over the unfortunate incident, has immediately constituted a panel of inquiry, headed by the Director of Operations and General Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo to investigate the incident.

Abdallah said: “The Agency will address the situation with every sense of seriousness and urgency. The Agency had also deployed more investigators to all the screening camps nationwide. We have also taken measures to intensify the on-going screening of pilgrims who are yet to depart to Saudi Arabia to prevent a re-occurrence of the sad incident.”

Three Nigerian pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj exercise at the Saudi Arabia were arrested on Wednesday over their alleged involvement in drug trafficking. The pilgrims were said to be from Kwara State. Drug trafficking offence carries death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

According to the NDLEA boss, "narcotic smuggling is criminal and the involvement of pilgrims is utterly reprehensible. This is unfortunate and we are working very hard to get to the root of it. The Agency is handling this case with every sense of seriousness and urgency because this action has negatively affected the image of Nigeria.”

Abdallah assured members of the public that the NDLEA would get to the root of the incident.

It was gathered that the terms of the reference for the panel of inquiry include; ascertaining circumstances behind the non-detection of the pilgrims before takeoff, identification of possible sponsors and the source of drug supply.  

The NDLEA boss also called on pilgrims to uphold the principle of probity, patriotism and eschew any act capable of bringing the image of the country to disrepute. Abdallah vowed to take necessary steps aimed at bringing any person or group of persons involved in the criminal act to justice.