Some principal officers of the Benue State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, alongside consultants, are currently being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  over an alleged N4.6bn fraud.

It was gathered that the officials, who were picked up about a week ago, are still in custody at the EFCC zonal office in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The EFCC is investigating the alleged diversion of N4.6bn said to be meant for local government councils in the state.

Investigations revealed that the funds were allegedly siphoned through the consultants under the guise of consultancy fees for auditing local government staff, pensioners and Primary Healthcare personnel across the 23 local government councils in the state.

It was further learnt that all 23 local government chairmen have been invited to account for their roles in the matter, while Directors of General Services and Treasurers had already been questioned.

Confirming the investigation, a local government chairman who spoke on condition of anonymity said the EFCC was probing consultancy fees allegedly running into N4.6bn.

“The decision to approve the audit of the local governments was taken because of the rot we met on ground. The resolution was reached during our joint meeting,” he said.

According to him, the auditors were engaged to audit local government staff, pensioners, Primary Healthcare workers and personnel of the Local Government Education Authorities.

He added that the auditors commenced work about two weeks ago and were still operating in several councils.

While stating that the audit was ongoing across the 23 local government areas, the chairman said the amount paid for the consultancy varied depending on the workload in each council.

He cautioned against politicising the matter, describing the EFCC probe as a routine investigation. He added that those invited so far were treated professionally and commended the anti-graft agency for its conduct.

Also confirming the investigation, the Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Michael Oglegba, said the state government would not interfere with the EFCC’s probe.

He said the government had zero tolerance for corruption and was fully cooperating with the anti-graft agency.

“I am aware of the situation, and the government is also aware. Because of our zero tolerance for anything that is not straightforward, we have allowed the process to continue,” Oglegba said.

“The EFCC is carrying out its investigation, and when it is concluded, the findings will be made public. For now, the government does not want to interfere with the process.

“Yes, there is an allegation. Yes, monies were paid for the process. The investigation is to determine whether the payments were properly made and whether due process was followed. We are fully cooperating with the anti-graft agency,” he added.

The commissioner warned government officials to always follow due process, stressing that Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia had zero tolerance for corruption.

“Those in positions of authority must understand that the governor wants things done properly. That is why the government has been able to minimise waste and improve expenditure. This investigation must end properly so lessons can be learnt,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, the detained officials were said to be processing their bail.

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The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested no fewer than 77,792 drug offenders and seized about 14,847 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs in the last five years.

Marwa disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the NDLEA Commands, Awards and Commendations Ceremony, where outstanding commands and personnel of the agency were honoured for their performance over the past year.

According to him, the seizures significantly disrupted local and transnational drug trafficking networks, sending a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illicit drug enterprises.

He said the agency also arrested 128 identified drug barons who played central roles in major trafficking operations across the country, noting that the successes were the result of deliberate reforms aimed at repositioning the NDLEA for effective service delivery.

Marwa explained that over the period under review, the agency secured 14,225 convictions, strengthening deterrence and reinforcing the consequences of drug-related crimes.

He said, “It is therefore heartwarming to note that in the last five years, we recorded significant operational successes, including the arrest of 77,792 drug offenders, including 128 identified drug barons who were central to major trafficking networks.

“We seized a total of 14,847,000 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, thereby significantly disrupting both local and transnational supply chains.

“In further strengthening the criminal justice response to drug offences, the agency successfully prosecuted and secured convictions against 14,225 offenders, reinforcing deterrence and affirming that drug crime attracts consequences.”

Beyond enforcement, he said the NDLEA intensified efforts at drug demand reduction, revealing that 32,442 drug users benefited from counselling, treatment and rehabilitation programmes nationwide.

He added that the agency conducted 13,735 sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse campaign across schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres and communities to curb substance abuse and promote preventive awareness.

Marwa attributed the achievements to improved intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, capacity building and enhanced welfare for officers and men of the agency, as well as sustained motivation through internal reward mechanisms.

He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for extending his tenure for another five years, describing the decision as a call for greater commitment in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

The NDLEA boss assured Nigerians that the agency would intensify its operations in the new tenure, vowing that there would be no respite for drug barons, traffickers and couriers, regardless of how long it takes to bring them to justice.

He said, “As we celebrate, we must recognise that the goldfish has no hiding place. The next phase of our operations demands even more grit and more tactical sophistication.

“We will not rest until every drug baron is behind bars, every trafficker is intercepted, every mule is caught, and every single gram of illicit drug is removed from our streets.

“There is no room for complacency. We must remain proactive, intelligence-led, and ruthless in our pursuit of those who seek to destroy our youth and national security. Let me be clear, the objective of this agency remains the total disruption of drug trafficking and the protection of our communities.

“The expectation is sustained pressure until every drug baron, trafficker, courier, and every gram of illicit drugs is taken out of our streets and communities.”

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health and national security, stressing that the ultimate objective remains the total disruption of drug trafficking and the creation of a safer, drug-free Nigeria.

Marwa was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA in 2021, after which the agency adopted intelligence-led operations, strengthened inter-agency and international collaboration, and prioritised staff welfare and accountability.

In 2025, President Bola Tinubu approved the extension of his appointment for another five-year term.

Speaking at the event, Marwa pledged to intensify the crackdown on drug trafficking networks and scale up efforts to curb drug abuse nationwide.