Posted by By Simon Ateba on
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has shelled out N8 million to buy four sniffer dogs to fight drug trafficking in the country.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has shelled out N8 million to buy four sniffer dogs to fight drug trafficking in the country.
The Director-General of NDLEA, Otunba Lanre Ipinmiso, who made the disclosure, said that the dogs were brought in from South Africa, and each cost the agency N2 million. He spoke when the Senate Committee on Drugs, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, visited the agency. On the surface, the price tag on each dog may sound outrageous, but investigation by P.M. News on the internet showed that the NDLEA may have bought the dogs at a knocked down price. Depending on the breed, a sniffer dog can cost between $50,000 to $90,000. And even more.
Ipinmiso told the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sola Akinyede, and other members, yesterday that the cost of transportation for one dog from South Africa to Lagos is 3, 000 dollars, (about N350, 000). The dogs are trained to detect drugs and cannot survive without air-conditioners.
Ipinmiso narrated that recently, one of the dogs slumped and died at a traffic jam during an official assignment because of the Lagos heat.
'One day, the officers went on an assignment with one of the dogs, they got stuck in a traffic jam, and because of the heat, one dog slumped and died," he said.
He informed the Senators that the anti-narcotics agency needs 20 more dogs that will cost N40 million to sustain the war against drug trafficking.
The committee chairman on drugs then wondered why NDLEA cannot groom local dogs that can stand the heat in the country instead of spending millions to import foreign dogs that can not adapt to Nigeria's weather.
'I don`t know, but can`t we groom some dogs here that can sweat like me and not die?" Akinyede asked.
NDLEA replied that they will soon approach the police for some help but are being careful in doing so. He did not explain further.
Meanwhile, P.M.News learnt that the Senate has increased the budget of NDLEA from N2.2 billion to N6.5 billion. This indicates an increase of 300 percent compared to the previous budget.
Akinyede warned that with such an increase in the budget, Nigerians will also expect 300 per cent increase in performance.
He said the move is to eradicate drugs in the country. He further disclosed that drug traffickers will now bag at least 15 years jail term on conviction. It was, however, not clear whether it is a proposal or the new law, as most drug traffickers convicted recently only got three months jail term.
Other members of the committee on drugs that came for inspection, include Senator Dahiru Kuta, vice chairman; Senator Simeon Oduoye; Barrister Sesan Thaddeus, senior legal assistant; Emmanuel Chidi and Grace Udoh.
NDLEA was represented by Ipinmiso who stood in for the agency‘s Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade. Others were, Victor Cole-Showers, the Airport Commander, and Idris Bello, an assistant commander.