By Bashir Opaluwa Idris
Kogi State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says over one thousand kilogram of assorted drugs have been seized between January and June this year.
State Commander of NDLEA, Umar Mustapha Yahuza stated this in a news briefing to mark the beginning of the weeklong celebration of this year’s United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking in Lokoja.
The weeklong activities which began on twentieth of this month is expected to end on Wednesday with a grand finale, while the Kogi State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency will hold a road walk show on Tuesday to sensitize the public on the dangers of drug abuse.
Commander Yahuza lamented that drug abuse in Kogi State and Nigeria is alarming, noting that the menace has negative implications on security, economic and the general wellbeing of the people.
According to him, statistics and empirical facts from National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Operations showed that drug problem has led to too many societal problems including armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, rape and unrest in the country.
The State NDLEA Commander explained that from January twenty twenty-two to date, the Command has engaged in various operations, sensitization, and advocacy visits to schools, traditional institutions and government aimed at sensitizing the people on the need to avoid consumption of hard drugs.
He said the Command was able to arrest and seize assorted drugs such as codeine, Methamphetamine, Exol-5, Diazepam, tramadol, Cannabis sativa, Pentazocineetc) have been made among others.
Commander Yahuza noted that a total of one hundred and forty-nine suspects which comprised of both males and females were arrested with seized assorted drugs totaling one thousand six hundred and ninety nine point nine kilogram within the last six months.
The State NDLEA Commander noted that the Command convicted twenty nine accused persons and other cases are still pending at Federal High Court, Lokoja.
He said his men also re-arrested a prison escapee who was standing trial for cannabis cultivation during the last jail break at Kabba correctional facility, while a suspect was arrested with twenty one different Sim cards.
Commander Yahuza appreciated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and all other stakeholders for their support to the Command and the agency in general in the fight against drug abuse, adding that the task of ensuring a free-drug society cannot be left in the hands of the agency alone.
Also speaking, the Kogi State Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Monday Anyebe reiterated the government’s determination to ensure a drug-free society particularly Kogi State.
Mr. Anyebe noted that drug abuse is a serious issue that affects not only individuals but also families, communities and society as well as undermining economic development and create lack of social cohesion.
Special Adviser to the Governor on War Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Eunice Achimugu assured of the state Government’s support to Kogi State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to operate optimally.
