The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has faced series of criticism over the Stop and Search Exercise going on in Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos, by its operatives, prompting the agency to clear the air.

Comedian, Bright Okocha, popularly known as Basketmouth had call out the agency for the embarking on such exercise on his X handle, formerly known as Twitter, following his tweet on Saturday.

Responding, the agency revealed that the stop-and-search exercise was to “protect residents from the activities of drug dealers and disrupt supply chain of illicit substances.”

The comedian had tweeted late Friday, “Are you people are aware of the stop and search going on currently on Admiralty Way in LEKKI by members of your force? #ndlea_nigeria.”

The response on NDLEA’s X page on Saturday read, “Thanks #basket_mouth. The men are on authorized duty based on intelligence, their presence there is not a regular occurrence.

“It’s part of efforts to protect residents from the activities of drug dealers and disrupt supply chain of illicit substances. The cooperation of all is key.”