WE WILL MAKE TINCAN PORT IMPREGNABLE TO DRUG TRAFFICKING – OFOYEJU  

WE WILL MAKE TINCAN PORT IMPREGNABLE TO DRUG TRAFFICKING – OFOYEJU          

MJ Ofoyeju, Commander, TINCAN PORT NDLEA Command

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have continued to vibrantly display positive enforcement wits in the battle against drug trafficking and its associated vices at the TinCan Island Port Command of the agency.        

With the recent deployed of Commander MJ Ofoyeju about three weeks ago to take over affairs of the Strategic TinCan Island Port Command, there seems to be a re-awakening to duty as occasioned by the vibrancy associated with the battle against the menace of drug trafficking at the command in recent times.

In an exclusive interview with the Editor in Chief of TransQuest media, Mr. Felix Kumuyi in his office, Commander Ofoyeju promised to make the Strategic TinCan Port command under his watch impregnable to drug trafficking syndicates as he disclosed that the command had within two weeks of assumption of office intercepted a container laden with dried weed that tested positive for Cannabis Indica with origin from Canada on the 22nd of October, 2024.

He further explained that the total of 56 seized packages of the dried weeds were found inside an imported Lexus Jeep ES350 vehicle and the total weight is put at 28 kilograms and they have taken it into custody, while the arrested suspects are currently undergoing investigation and the case will soon be charged to court.

Interestingly, the elated Commander also revealed that a day after that interception, officials of the command also intercepted three (3) additional container shipments of tramadol, and codeine cough syrup, which signifies that the command is not relenting in its efforts to decimate the menace of drug trafficking through TinCan Ports.

According to Ofoyeju, “the feat recorded so far recorded is a pointer to the fact that it is not going to be business as usual so we will do our best”.

On how he intend to consolidate on the achievements of the command and what he intend to achieve, Commander Ofoyeju said, he came with a given mandate as instructed by the Honorable Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brigadier General Mohammed Bubba Maruwa (Rtd) CON and which in specific terms is to go to TINCAN Island Port Strategic Command to continue with the fight against drug trafficking with emphasis on zero tolerance for corruption and the seaport being one of the measure arteries of a global stage in war against drug trafficking, to make the command impregnable to drug trafficking syndicate.

In plain terms, he said, this means to find it difficult to use the TINCAN Island port to import illicit drugs into Nigeria and they will also find it hard to export illicit drugs from the TINCAN Island Port to other parts, and that is what the Ofiyeju led management team seems to have been doing as attested to by the above recorded feats in the span of just two weeks.               

While he used the opportunity to appreciate the Honorable Chairman for the rare opportunity to serve the country in this capacity, he however pledged his absolute loyalty to the country, Nigeria and to ensure that this opportunity to serve will not just be only worthwhile, but will be one that will be remembered for years to come as a period that drug trafficking syndicate had the toughest time in their criminal act, as his team will go after them just as they have started now and they will be duly prosecuted in line with the NDLEA acts.       

Ofoyeju also used the opportunity to call on well-meaning Nigerians to support this war, noting that drug control globally thrives on the principle of collective responsibility, as no individual or country or agency can do it in isolation. To this he said, “The command needs partners, local and international partners, intelligence sharing so that from time to time we can work together collaboratively in making our society drug free healthy and safe for everyone”.

Continuing on the collaborative posture, the Commander said, the command have started already, as he cited that the interceptions made were based on intelligence reports. “So like I said we will continue to partner with our international partners and local stakeholders to ensure that we work together towards achieving our goal.

“Just two weeks ago the United States drug enforcement agent that is working in collaboration with us gave us some working materials which include Coloured Printer, Water Dispenser, Cabinet, Treasury Machine and some other items which were given to us in the spirit of partnership for effective operation.

“We are working towards having joint training session with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as other international bodies”, he said.                

Ofoyeju, who had huge Public Relations experience up his sleeves in his sojourn so far at the agency, also spoke on the recently just concluded anti-drug abuse sensitization programme with the members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) held at Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, an exercise he promised will be continued.

He said, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Local Government Area, Honorable Lucky Ndikwe, was with them all through, and was so impressed that he said he welcomed things like this and they have both resolved in agreement to be having the sensitization exercise on a weekly basis, and in the days ahead, “we hope to intensify our efforts”, he said.

In his response to the command’s nomination for ‘Special Recognition Award’ for the contribution of the command in the nation’s development through its efforts in the war against drug trafficking and vices, to be presented at the forthcoming 19th edition of Transport Development Symposium/Lecture/Awards of TransQuest event, taking place in Lagos Airport Hotels on November 09th, 2024, Afoyeju, the TINCAN Island Port Strategic Commander of NDLEA, while commending efforts of the organisers, also  appreciate their contribution to Community Development.

He noted that “for a society to grow and develop there should be structures in place. Explaining further, he said there should be mechanisms that rewards excellence and there should be strong institutions that will punish wrongdoings.

Afoyeju also opined that these are the two important things that enables society to grow, as he said what the organizers are doing is a welcome development and there is need to keep it up as people must be guided.    

“Growing up as a kid, the values that our parents and the society inculcated in us is what is helping us today and that is giving back to the society, engaging in community service.

“What I was trying to tell you is that what makes a society to perform optimally is when priority is given to number one merit, put round pegs around holes, then number two is transparency, when you run a transparent system of government you achieve more.

“Corruption thrives in an opaque situation where things are not clear e.g people don’t know how much you collect, you award contract you don’t follow due process, no orderliness, but when we get it right things will begin to function properly and it is expected of us to take up the responsibility. We must show good example in wherever space we find ourselves.             

“So what you are doing is commendable and I want you to keep it up. You might think nobody is watching, but you will be surprised where commendations will come and where your name will be mentioned you will be shocked, so don’t be deterred by whatever discouragement because for things to work, there will always be discouragement and stumbling blocks but don’t be deterred, keep it up.

“I am one of those that believe that Nigeria is not just a great country but should function optimally according to the potential that God has given to us. Once again congratulations and we look forward to a successful event”, the TinCan Commander enthused.