• NDLEA’s Reaction: The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, described Ashiru’s comments as vindictive, stemming from the NDLEA’s previous raids on the senator’s residence and the arrest of his aides.
• Raids and Arrests: The NDLEA raided Ashiru’s Kwara residence, recovering drugs and illicit substances, and arrested two of his aides, Ibrahim Mohammed and Muhammed Yahaya.
• ”Omo Senator” Encounter: The agency also arrested Oluwatosin Odepidan, part of Ashiru’s “Omo Senator” group, for dealing in illicit drugs in Offa.
• Prosecution and Conviction: Despite pressure to drop the case, Odepidan was prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced in June 2024.
• Ashiru’s Challenge: The senator challenged the NDLEA to prosecute those arrested for illicit drug-related offenses.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has fired back at Senator Yisa Ashiru, representing Kwara South, after he labeled the agency as Nigeria’s most corrupt ¹. The senator made this statement on October 15 while contributing to a bill establishing a National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.
The NDLEA remains committed to its mandate, having made over 52,000 arrests and secured more than 9,000 convictions in the past three years ¹. The agency vows to continue dismantling illicit drug networks across Nigeria, undeterred by Ashiru’s allegations.
