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November 13, 2023
SaharaReporters had exclusively reported how NDLEA operatives and officers of the Nigeria Police Force engaged in a scuffle over the arrest of the policeman’s wife after she was caught with illicit drugs inside a police station in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
A police Inspector’s wife caught with a bag of Cannabis Sativa and other illicit drugs by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been remanded at the Okene correctional facility, SaharaReporters has gathered.
SaharaReporters had exclusively reported how NDLEA operatives and officers of the Nigeria Police Force engaged in a scuffle over the arrest of the policeman’s wife after she was caught with illicit drugs inside a police station in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
According to multiple sources, she was arrested while distributing the marijuana from her husband’s car parked on the premises of the station.
However, when the NDLEA operatives moved to take her away and impound the vehicle, some policemen challenged them and the situation degenerated into a fight.
“An inspector's wife was arrested by NDLEA yesterday inside A division in Kogi. Bags of cannabis sativa and an ash-coloured Volkswagen vehicle belonging to her husband were recovered.
“However, her husband’s police colleagues clashed with the NDLEA officers until their boss came in,” a source had told SaharaReporters.
Another source had added, “It happened at A division police post. The husband parked the car in front his office. His wife was arrested while distributing the cannabis sativa. However, some policemen tried to stop the NDLEA officers from carrying out their lawful duty until the situation was calmed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police heading the division.
“The woman and her husband’s car containing the bags of weed and other illicit drugs were later taken to NDLEA office in Lokoja for further investigation. She has so far admitted to the act. The question is; who were her customers inside a police station?”
Days after the report, Kogi police commissioner, Bethrand Onuoha in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Williams Ovye-Aya in Lokoja confirmed the incident.
He added that the clash was avoidable and that both sets of personnel misunderstood each other.
Giving an update on the incident to SaharaReporters, a source said the inspector’s wife was arraigned by the NDLEA before a Federal High Court in Lokoja a few days ago.
The source added that the woman claimed ownership of the illicit drugs and exonerated her husband.
“She's now in Okene correctional centre while the arrested policemen who attacked NDLEA officers are still in detection. They were detained for their ignorance which triggered anger from their bosses.
“However, the woman claimed ownership, exonerating the husband. Meanwhile, the husband’s car and the exhibits are still under NDLEA custody,” the source told SaharaReporters on Monday.
NDLEA operatives had in the past arrested police officers for drug crimes in the country.
Of note was the arrest of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and three others for drug offences. Kyari’s trial is still ongoing.