More than 1,000 intending operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency were on Monday stranded at the NDLEA training camp in Jos, Plateau State.

It was learnt that the affected job seekers were among the 5,000 applicants who  were to appear at the NDLEA academy in the Lamingo area of the state capital  to conclude their recruitment before the Attorney General and  Minister of  Justice, Abubakar  Malami, on Friday directed that the exercise should be stopped as such gathering could violate COVID-19 protocols.

Checks by our Correspondent in Jos on Monday revealed that some of the applicants who reported at the NDLEA camp were screened despite the minister’s order.

“Some of us were  given their appointment letters while others were asked to return home after the officials stopped their  screening midway .But my problem is that I don’t know what will be the fate of those of us who were not lucky to be screened because some of us returned to their hostels not knowing whether to wait or go back to their various states. our number cannot be less than 1000,”one of the applicants who declined to give his name told our correspondent.

ALSO READ: OKOROCHA CANVASSES NEW POLITICAL ALLIANCE AHEAD OF 2023 POLLS

An official at the NDLEA camp who was part of the screening also said those who were lucky to be screened were those for professional cadre.

Meanwhile, a statement by the NDLEA confirmed the suspension of the screening of the about 5,000 candidates.

The statement on Monday by the Deputy Commander of Narcotics and Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs, Jonah Achema said the agency would seek advice from the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 on the public health implications of such an exercise.

“The acting Chairman of the agency, Shadrach Haruna, has therefore, directed the screening team to suspend all actions and return to the national headquarters, Abuja, immediately for further briefing.

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