NDLEA Warns Public Against Fake Auction Offers, Sale Of Forfeited Vehicles

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians against fraudulent auction offers being circulated by scammers impersonating senior officials of the agency.

The agency said the fraudsters were using the names of top NDLEA officials, including the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to issue fake letters and messages offering forfeited vehicles for sale at cheap prices.

In a statement issued on Friday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency described the offers as a scam designed to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The NDLEA said no official of the agency has the authority to privately offer, allocate or sell forfeited vehicles or other seized assets to individuals.

It explained that vehicles and assets forfeited as proceeds of drug crimes are auctioned only through public processes handled by appointed and government-registered auctioneers.

The agency added that any legitimate auction exercise would be widely publicised in national newspapers and through its official communication channels in line with legal and public procurement guidelines.

The NDLEA urged members of the public to ignore and report any private letters, text messages or social media offers claiming to originate from Haruna or any other official of the agency.

It advised anyone approached with such offers to report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through the agency’s official communication channels.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and integrity in all its operations.