NDLEA Release 2 Out of 14 Arrested Nigerian Dockworkers At GDNL Terminal

…Others Couldn’t Explain N200Million discovered in their Individual Accounts

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Fresh investigations have revealed that two of the fourteen dockworkers arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with shipment of drugs through the Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL) Terminal in Apapa Lagos have been released.

Recall that the workers were arrested in separate bursts in October 2021, in connection with imported narcotics whilst on duty on board vessels; MV Cha Yaree Naree, and MV MV Kartena which berthed at the GDNL Terminal in Apapa.

The affected dockworkers were since incarcerated onboard the two vessels which has been in NDLEA detention.

Reliable sources inside the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) however confirmed to DAILY TREND NEWS that the 12 dockworkers were still being held because large sums of money were discovered in their bank accounts which they could not explain the source.

According to the source, some of the arrested dockworkers, an ordinary labour was having a whooping N200million in their accounts and they could not explain the source.

“The reason why they have not been released is because the quantum of money the NDLEA met in their accounts was large. They were not caught red handed with the drugs, but seeing such huge money in their account that they cannot explain how they got it”

“If I got half of that money, I might resign from unionism. We are talking of millions of Naira. One person, a labour having more than N200million in his accounts”

“Most of the workers are problem to themselves, many of them complained that they were not carried along, they were even the ones telling NDLEA not to release their colleagues”

“The union is trying in terms of sensitization but most of the dockworkers are covetous, they want to live big, many of them have forgotten how they got into the job” he said

Our correspondent gathered that the arrested dockworkers are now going to be transferred to a NDLEA holding cell at shed six around the APM Terminals Apapa for proper investigation and holding.

Meanwhile, the two dockworkers that were released were held ontop of the vessel for two weeks, after the NDLEA discovered nothing on them, they were asked to leave.

Our correspondent gathered that the two vessels in connection with the drug burst have been detained at the Lagos anchorage until investigation is concluded.

Another inside source at the union who pleaded anonymity stated that dockworkers are not the agents or the consignees of the vessel, and that should NDLEA fail to find any fault in the arrested dockworkers, the union might be forced to take legal action.

President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju recently queried the rationale behind the arrest of its members instead of the consignee and vessel owners who are privy to the contents in the vessel.

The union President General called on members of the union to disembark from any vessel containing items looking suspicious instead of being held for what they don’t know anything about.

While reiterating the resolve of the union to partner with relevant government agencies to flush drug peddling from the port, he threatened to expel any member of the union culpable of involvement in drug peddling.