The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retired), announced that the agency has confiscated over 6,668 tonnes of illicit substances in the span of two years.
He made this statement in response to a request for collaboration and the deployment of additional NDLEA personnel to various parts of Katsina, as proposed by Governor Dikko Radda.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, released this information in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
Marwa further disclosed that more than 36,096 suspects have been apprehended during the same period, with over 6,043 already prosecuted and convicted.
He emphasized the significant issue posed by drug abuse, which has had detrimental effects on the lives of numerous Nigerian youths and communities.
Marwa characterized it as a major public concern, particularly regarding its connection to criminal activities, as a substantial percentage of criminals rely on drugs and are under the influence when committing their offenses.
“That is why the NDLEA under the collective support of the directorates and management has put all efforts towards operation ‘offensive action’.
“This operation involves going out to seize all drugs cultivated, imported, or on the verge of being exported out of the country.
“More than 6,668 tonnes of illicit substances have been seized in two years, and this is the drug supply reduction aspect.
“We have also arrested the perpetrators of the act, and more than 36,096 suspects have been arrested and more than 6,043 already prosecuted and convicted within this period,” Marwa stated.
Marwa stressed that another side of the fight was drug demand reduction, which focused on the prevention, treatment, and aftercare of drug-dependent persons.
“The preventive measure targets those who have not started or are about to start drug use.
“They are targeted through advocacy and sensitisation across all levels.
“It is for this reason we structured the War Against Drug Abuse initiative from the National to Local Government Area levels,” he said.
