The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters impersonating senior officials of the agency to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through fake offers of forfeited vehicles purportedly being sold at discounted auction prices.
In a disclaimer issued on Friday, the agency disclosed that the scammers have been circulating forged letters and deceptive messages, particularly in the name of the NDLEA Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, falsely claiming that seized vehicles are available for purchase through private arrangements.
In a statement, signed by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency described the purported offers as fraudulent, stressing that they are part of a criminal scheme designed to swindle unsuspecting victims.
According to the NDLEA, no official of the agency is authorised to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals under any circumstances.
It explained that all assets forfeited as proceeds of drug-related offences are disposed of strictly through publicly advertised auctions conducted by government-approved and registered auctioneers, in line with extant laws and public procurement regulations.
The agency further noted that whenever approval is granted for the disposal of forfeited assets, the auctions are widely publicised through national newspapers and the NDLEA’s official communication platforms to guarantee transparency, fairness and equal access for all interested bidders.
The anti-narcotics agency urged Nigerians to ignore any private letters, text messages, emails or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles for sale on behalf of Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.
It also advised members of the public who receive such offers to promptly report them to the nearest NDLEA command or through the agency’s official communication channels.
The agency reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency, accountability and due process in the disposal of forfeited assets, while urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to fraudsters exploiting the agency’s name.
