NDLEA Addresses Concerns Over Alleged Lopsided Appointments

NDLEA Addresses Concerns Over Alleged Lopsided Appointments

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said allegations of nepotism and favouritism in the appointment of its directors, commanders and other top officials are baseless.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency described as false some social media posts that appointments into high-ranking positions were tilted in favour of Northern Muslims against Southern Christians.

The statement reads: “For the benefit of the reading public, the agency will like to state as follows:

“Out of the 20 Directors/Commandant in NDLEA, 14 are Christians and six Muslims; of the 14 Zonal Commanders, nine are Christians and five Muslims; out of 37 State Commanders, 19 are Christians and 18 Muslims; of the 14 Special Area Commanders, 10 are Christians and four Muslims; out of 12 Coordinators/Heads of Units, nine are Christians and three Muslims; while out of 11 Heads of Operation, seven are Christians and four are Muslims.

“In all, out of the 108 topmost appointments and positions in the agency, 68 of them are occupied by Christians and 40 Muslims, which represents a ratio of 63 per cent to 37 per cent as against the perception some mischief makers are trying to create against the leadership of the agency.

“The agency wishes to assure the public that its leadership remains focused and committed to the goal of curbing the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking while upholding the tenets of fairness, equity, and merit in its distribution of opportunities for its workforce.”