Michael Onwuka, Enugu & Nonsochukwu Uwa, Owerri
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested no fewer than 130 suspects for drug related offenses in Enugu in the last 11 months.
It also said it convicted 51 offenders in Imo State.
The NDLEA Commander in Enugu State, Mr Anietie Bassey, disclosed this on Thursday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the sidelines of the 2022 UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
Bassey said that those arrested between July 2021 and May 2022 compromised 124 males and six females.
He also said that the agency secured 97 convictions in the court within the same time while other suspects were awaiting trial.
He mentioned some of the exhibits seized to include 845, 839 kg of Cannabis Sativa, 957.58grams of methamphetamine, 5.469 kilograms of psychotropic substances and 90.2grams cocaine.
The Commander said that 36 drug users were rehabilitated and reunited with their families, within the time under review while another 18 were still undergoing rehabilitation.
“These achievements are tremendous improvement on the records of the previous year and the success were achieved through the commitment of the Federal Government,” he said.
Bassey reiterated the commitment of the agency to rid the state of illicit drug dealers.
He said that but for the constant raid of some flashpoints in Enugu, the capital city would have been over-run by illicit drug dealers.
He mentioned Ogidi Street and its environs along Ogui Road as one of the most notorious hideouts of illicit drug traffickers in the state capital.
“We have constantly raided the area and dislodged the drug joints at the various locations,” he said.
He said that Cannabis Sativa remained the most abused illicit drug in the state.
Bassey said that the agency had notwithstanding its challenges, including paucity of funds, lack of standard rehabilitation centre and others done its work diligently.
“Illicit drug and substance abuse have far-reaching effect on people’s health and mutual co-existence. The UN is looking towards addressing these challenges in the evolving year,” he said.
Bassey called on residents of the state to provide valuable information that would enable the agency to successfully rid the state of illicit drug, adding that such information would be confidential.
In a similar vein, NDLEA, said it had secured the conviction of 51 suspects over alleged drug-related offences and that 145 cases were still in court among other offences in Imo state.
The state commander of NDLEA, Reuben Apeh, made this known to newsmen in Owerri, also on this year’s international day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drugs Trafficking.
It added that so far, 171 males and 47 females allegedly involved in drug-related offences were arrested in the state for the past year.
According to NDLEA, “The month of June 2021 – June 2022 marks a year of appraisal of the work done to curtail and discourage both drug trafficking and illicit drug use.
“The United Nations had designed 26th June of every year as an anti-drug day to create awareness of the dangers of drug abuse in societies adding that Nigeria has not failed to be at the forefront of fighting the battle against drug abuse and its illicit trade.
“Within the period under review, the activities of drug peddlers in Imo State have become so alarming and increasingly becoming sophisticated among the younger segments of the state population.
“Among the various exhibits seized within the period under review include 0.10513kg of Cocaine, 0.2077kg of Heroin, 3.896kg of methamphetamine, 3.184kg of tramadol and 0.5278kg of Rohypnol among others.
“Within the period covered, 51 suspects have been convicted while 145 cases were charged to court and the cases are still ongoing. Out of the number of drug suspects arrested, 171 are male while 47 belong to female categories as the case may be,” NDLEA said.
