FEC approves $1.442 bn arms, N1.99bn CNG vehicles, N985m body scanners for NDLEA

By Egena Sunday Ode

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a total of $1.442 billion for the procurement of arms, ammunition and equipment for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to boost its anti-narcotics operations.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after the FEC meeting.
According to him, the approval followed his ministry’s memoranda submitted on behalf of the NDLEA to Council.
According to Fagbemi, Council also approved a total of N1.9 billion for the purchase of 33 CNG-compliant vehicles, as well as the sum of N985 million for the procurement of two full body scanners for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
He said the other two approvals were also in favour of the NDLEA, aimed at making the agency’s operations smooth.
“We discussed some other items today, three items in respect of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, otherwise known as NDLEA. The first one is the procurement of 33 Mikano Maxus E60 motor vehicles, to boost the operation of the NDLEA at N1.9 billion.
“You will agree with me that it is important that we give support to the activities of NDLEA so the Council considered this and gave approval for the purchase of 33 Mikano vehicles and they are all CNG compliant.
“The second one is, again, purchase for the NDLEA this time is for the procurement of arms, ammunition and antiriot equipment for counter-narcotics operations for the NDLEA. This is for the sum of $1.442 billion.
“The third in the series is the procurement of two units of full body scanners at both Abuja and Lagos international airports to boost the operation of the NDLEA. This is at a cost of N985 million”, the Minister said.