NDLEA seizes 6,668 tonnes of illicit substances in two years

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized at least 6,668 tonnes of illicit substances within two years.

A statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, explained that the agency apprehended over 36,096 suspects and prosecuted over 6,043 within the same period.

According to the statement, “The Chairman of the anti-narcotics agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), disclosed this while responding to a request for partnership and deployment of more NDLEA officers in all parts of Katsina State by Governor Dikko Radda to tame the problem of drug abuse.”

“The drug menace is a huge issue and has destroyed the lives of our youths and communities. It is the public enemy number one, and especially the criminal aspect of it. Ninety-nine per cent of the criminals must first have access to drugs and be under the influence to perpetrate some of their acts.

“That is why the NDLEA, under the collective support of the directorates and the management has put all efforts towards operation ‘offensive action.’ This involves going out to seize all drugs cultivated, imported or on the verge of being exported out of the country.

“Over 6,668 tonnes of illicit substances have been seized in two years, and we assure that we will continue relentlessly until the streets are clean of drugs. This is the drug supply reduction aspect, where we arrest the perpetrators of the act, and over 36,096 suspects have been arrested and more than 6,043 already prosecuted and convicted within this period.”