NDLEA Clears Air As Photos Of ‘Underage’ Recruits Emerge Online

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reacted to claims that it recruited underaged Nigerians into its fold.

Recall that pictures of the new recruits of the agency who looked underage and physically challenged emerged on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter).

The photographs were taken during the Passing out Parade of 2,500 NDLEA officers on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

However, the photographs have drawn a backlash and reactions, as Nigerians accused the anti-narcotics agency of recruiting a teenager into its fold.

In a response to the accusation via a post on its official X handle on Saturday, the NDLEA stated that such claims by Nigerians would amount to “body-shaming.”

In the post titled: ‘Newly trained NDLEA personnel on viral photo not underage’, the agency said the newly trained personnel which caused the reactions is not underage as being insinuated

The post reads: “The newly trained personnel of the Agency whose photo appears above (arrowed) is not underage as being insinuated since this picture taken during the Passing out Parade of2,500 Narcotic Agents and Narcotic Assistants on Thursday 19th October 2023 got to the social media space.

“The personnel may have a small body frame but is indeed qualified in terms of academic and age qualifications required for his cadre, Narcotic Assistant II, which include a secondary school certificate and being 18 years of age.

“Uncomplimentary comments about his size may be tantamount to body shaming.”