The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency has denied recruiting underage Nigerians following a backlash over a viral photo of a new recruit who looked underage.
In a statement on its official X account titled ‘Newly trained NDLEA personnel on viral photo not underage,’ the NDLEA said the newly trained personnel in the photo is not underage but has a small body frame.
The agency said the personnel is qualified in terms of academic and age qualifications, which include a secondary school certificate and being 18 years of age.
“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 small body frame but is indeed qualified in terms of academic and age qualifications required for his cadre, Narcotic Assistant II, which include secondary school certificate and being 18 years of age”
The NDLEA also warned against making uncomplimentary comments about the personnel’s size, saying it may amount to body shaming.
“Uncomplimentary comments about his size may be tantamount to body shaming,” the statement read.
The agency’s statement comes after many Nigerians accused the NDLEA of recruiting a teenager on social media.
The photo of the new recruit was taken during the passing out parade of 2,500 NDLEA officers on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
