The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The agency announced that it seized 3,988.74 kilograms of assorted drugs with a street value of N80 million and arrested 134 suspects in the third quarter of 2023.
The FCT commander of the NDLEA, Mr Kabir Tsakuwa, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday. He said the seized drugs included cannabis sativa, cocaine, methamphetamine, tramadol, Rohypnol, and diazepam. He added that cannabis sativa was the most prevalent drug in the FCT, accounting for 3,861.789 kilograms of the total seizures.
Tsakuwa also said that 128 males and six females were arrested for drug-related offenses in the same period. He said that 104 suspects were prosecuted, and 27 were convicted. He commended the efforts of the NDLEA operatives and other stakeholders for their cooperation and support in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
According to Tsakuwa, the NDLEA adopted a balanced approach to drug control strategy, which involved both demand reduction and supply reduction measures. He said that the agency carried out sensitization and public enlightenment programs in schools, religious places, corporate organizations, and communities to educate people on the dangers and effects of drug abuse. He also said the agency provided counseling and rehabilitation services for drug-dependent persons at its center.
On the supply reduction side, Tsakuwa said that the NDLEA conducted raids, arrests, investigations, and prosecutions of drug offenders. He said that the agency also collaborated with other security agencies, such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to intercept and prevent drug trafficking across borders.
Tsakuwa appealed to the public to report any suspicious activities or persons involved in drug trafficking or abuse to the NDLEA. He assured the agency would continue working hard to rid the FCT and Nigeria of illicit drugs.
The NDLEA’s achievements in the FCT are part of its nationwide campaign against drug trafficking and abuse, which has been boosted by the leadership of its chairman, Brig Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd). Since his appointment in January 2023, Marwa has reinvigorated the agency with new strategies, policies, and initiatives to tackle the menace of drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Nigeria has one of the highest rates of drug use in Africa, with an estimated 14.3 million people aged 15-64 years using psychoactive substances such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and heroin. The report also found that almost 3 million Nigerians suffered from some form of drug use disorder.
The NDLEA is determined to reverse this trend and make Nigeria a drug-free nation. The agency has also solicited more support and collaboration from local and international partners, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, and South Africa, to enhance its capacity and effectiveness in combating drug trafficking and abuse.
Source: Punch
