•••SEIZES 65,915.891KG OF DRUGS IN FIRST QUARTER
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Wednesday disclosed that the Agency has in the last four months made huge arrests and convictions, including seizures in its war against illicit drug trafficking and abuse across Nigeria.
The Agency in its statement by the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, said 677 traffickers have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms between January and March 2022.
According to the statement, a total of 3,359, were also arrested while 65,915.891 kilograms of assorted drugs were seized within the period in review.
Babafemi added that 2,223 drug users were also counselled and rehabilitated in the NDLEA facilities across the country within the same period.
He further explained that the figures represent a fair balance between the Agency’s drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities within the period.
“Lagos has the highest figure of drug seizures with 22,192.62 kilograms of illicit substances recovered from parts of the state, followed by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Command, Ikeja
“Also, in Lagos, with 8,979.869kg of drugs seized between January and March, while Kano and Kaduna led the pack in the arrests of offenders with 194 arrests, each within the period in review”, he added.
He stated that while a total of 257 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed in forests across Ondo State, 14.869 hectares suffered same fate in Edo and an hectare destroyed in Bayelsa State within the same period.
“A further breakdown of the drugs seized within the first quarter of the year shows Cannabis is leading the table in January with 8,205.75kg; followed by Codeine with 414.281kg; Diazepam is192.459kg and Tramadol with135.067kg”. He said.
According to him, Rophynol is 43.062kg and Cocaine -24.32kg while in February, Cannabis also topped the list of seizures with 20,538.79kg; Codeine was 1,848.052kg and Tramadol was 540.354kg; Diazepam -137.041kg; Rophynol 80.261kg; Cocaine was 15.727kg; Methamphetamine , 6.207kg and Heroin was 4.006kg.
“In March Cannabis also topped the list of seizures with 21,583.81kg; followed by Tramadol -8,965.319kg; Codeine 417.207kg; Diazepam -57.755kg; Cocaine 45.082kg; Methamphetamine -7.527kg; Rophynol -6.34kg and Heroin -1.497kg.” He stated.
Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), appreciated the commitment of officers and men of the Agency for a commendable performance in the first quarter of the year.
He tasked them not to rest on their oars adding that every outstanding performance would always attract commensurate commendation and reward.
