The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has said it will investigate allegations by Apapa-Iganmu LCDA Chairman Jimoh Saliu that some top military officers are protecting illicit drug peddlers operating at Gidan Drama in the Marine Beach community near Tego Army Barracks, where criminal activities including drug sales and trafficking of stolen goods are allegedly perpetrated under military protection.
The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army said on Sunday it would investigate allegations that some military officers were shielding drug peddlers in the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, following accusations by LCDA chairman Jimoh Saliu, who claimed that a place known as Gidan Drama in the Marine Beach community near Tego Army Barracks served as a hub for illicit drug activities where “top military and police officers” make it difficult to arrest drug peddlers and other criminal elements.
Speaking at the 70th anniversary event of the Corona Schools Trust Council at St Theresa Nursery and Primary School, Marine Beach, Saliu described the security situation as “so bad and porous,” stating, “When they commit any criminal act, they run into the place, and when you get there, they are protected and arrest is prevented,” adding that “if you go to Gidan Drama at night, you will see people bringing out bales of naira to buy all sorts of illicit drugs” and recalling that “three staff members of the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA were arrested two weeks ago and taken to the Naval Dockyard” during an intelligence visit before being released after his intervention with the commander.
When contacted over the allegations, the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt Col Musa Yahaya, said the chairman needed to be specific about which arm of the military he was referring to in order to aid investigations, stating, “When you say ‘military,’ you are referring to the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The military is a very large organisation,” adding, “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.”
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