TheCable

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a suspension of its ongoing recruitment exercise over coronavirus fears.

According to Jonah Achema, spokesman of the agency, Shadrach Haruna, acting chairman of NDLEA, gave the directive on Monday.

Last week, the agency released the list of shortlisted candidates who were to proceed to its academy in Jos, capital of Plateau state.

But Achema said the exercise was suspended after a directive from Abubakar Malami, minister of justice, who cautioned against the rising COVID-19 cases.

He said the  NDLEA will consult the presidential task force on COVID-19 on the health implication for the exercise.

“The agency is prepared to seek advice from the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 on the public health implications of such an exercise, especially as it relates to the adequacy and possibility of strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols,” the statement read.

Achema said the screening team has been directed to suspend all actions and return to the national headquarters, Abuja, immediately for further briefing.

He added that “there shall be no prejudice against any candidate that turned up for the screening or that failed to do so.”