Pubdate: Tue, 14 Dec 2004
Source: This Day (Nigeria)
Copyright: 2004 This Day.
Contact:  http://www.thisdayonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2870
Author: Godwin Haruna

NDLEA SEEKS SUPPORT FOR ANTI-DRUG WAR

Lagos

Five officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
killed in Kano in October were remembered yesterday in Lagos at the
Agency's headquarters.

Speaking at the event witnessed by people from the diplomatic corps,
families of the slain officers and top government functionaries,
Alhaji Bello Lafiaji, Chief Executive of the agency said perpetrators
of the heinous crime have murdered sleep.

In an emotion-laden voice, Lafiaji stressed that NDLEA was only the
arrow head of the fight against drug trafficking and enjoined all
members of the society to join the agency in curbing the drug menace.

"We will rise from our mournful moods and take the fight to the drug
barons, wherever they may be across the length and breadth of this
country and give them the hell they deserve".

On the slain officers, he said "our sincerest tears cannot bring them
back. Our most magnanimous generosity to their families cannot be a
substitute for them. But we will never forget them, we will use the
lesson of their deaths to prevent such heartless murders".

He gave the assurance that the death of the officers would not
translate into hardship for their families as the agency would do
everything possible to assist them.

The slain operatives, who were all in their prime include Mukaila
Sanchi, Hassan Umar, Isaiah Maje, Yakubu Mohammed and Aina Olayiwola.

In an unprecedented move, the chairman handed over cheques for the
death benefits to representatives of the officers and promised
automatic employment for any of their children desirous of enlisting
with the agency.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Narcotics and
Financial Crimes, Alhaji Lawal Shuaibu said the attack on the officers
was on the generality of Nigerians and mankind as a whole.

"If these vicious drug barons and their cohorts ever thought their
dastardly act is an assault on only the officers and NDLEA, they are
mistaken".

Shuaibu lauded the efforts of the NDLEA helmsman since coming on board
four years ago adding that this is the first major casualty in four
years.

He promised that the committee would make adequate provision in the
2005 budget to enable the agency procure more arms and be able to
effectively counter similar attacks in future.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin