The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has said it would investigate allegations that some military officers were shielding illicit drug peddlers operating in the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
The development followed accusations by the Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Jimoh Saliu, who alleged that certain top military officers were protecting criminal elements involved in drug trafficking within the area.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Saliu alleged that a location known as Gidan Drama in the Marine Beach community of Apapa, situated close to the Tego Army Barracks, had become a hub for illicit drug activities.
Describing the area as a hideout for notorious criminals, the council boss said various criminal acts, including the sale of illicit drugs and stolen goods, were being perpetrated there.
Speaking during an event marking the 70th anniversary of the Corona Schools Trust Council at St Theresa Nursery and Primary School, Marine Beach, Saliu appealed to the state government and concerned stakeholders to acquire the area for the construction of a secondary school.
“The security situation in the LCDA is so bad and porous that even here in Marine Beach, there is a place called Gidan Drama, which is a nightmare to our existence,” he said.
“The whole area has been troubled by these bad boys, and I have been working with the police to track them down. If you go there now, you will find top military and police officers making it difficult to arrest drug peddlers and other criminal elements operating in the area.”
Saliu alleged that suspects often flee into the area after committing crimes, claiming that attempts to arrest them are frequently thwarted.
“When they commit any criminal act, they run into the place, and when you get there, they are protected and arrest is prevented,” he said.
He further lamented that local government officials were sometimes threatened or detained while attempting to carry out enforcement operations.
“I recall that three staff members of the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA were arrested two weeks ago and taken to the Naval Dockyard. I had to contact the commander to explain that they were on an intelligence visit to Gidan Drama before they were released,” he added.
The chairman expressed concern over what he described as the deteriorating security situation in the community.
“With this situation, the future of our children is uncertain. If you go to Gidan Drama at night, you will see people bringing out bales of naira to buy all sorts of illicit drugs,” he said.
Reacting to the allegations, the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt Col Musa Yahaya, said the chairman needed to specify which arm of the military he was referring to in order to facilitate proper investigation.
“When you say ‘military,’ you are referring to the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The military is a very large organisation,” Yahaya said.
“I speak for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army. Issues like this require investigation before any response. I cannot speak on it for now, but I will make inquiries,” he told The PUNCH in a telephone interview.