Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
The Imo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said it seized 2,639.27kg of hard drugs, arrested 192 suspects and had 30 convictions in the last year.
The State Commander of the agency, Mr Abdullahi Saeed, said this at a news briefing in Owerri to mark this year’s UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Mr. Saeed said that of the 192 drug offenders arrested, 171 were males while 21 were females.
He further said that the seizures made by the command included various types of drugs, such as cocaine, cannabis and marijuana, amongst others.
The state NDLEA boss also said that the command rehabilitated 40 drug users and handed them over to their families and reintegrated into society.
He expressed regret that a good number of youths in the country, particularly students, find abuse of drugs fashionable and embrace it without hesitation, which has created a huge problem for society.
Considering that drugs share a common nexus with other crimes, such as banditry, kidnapping, murder, suicide and rape, the state commander noted that it pays more to prevent the abuse of drugs than to struggle to treat those already afflicted with drug-related problems.
“The issue of drug abuse must not be handled by the NDLEA alone, strong collaboration with other agencies of government as well as civil society organisations is required. The sustenance of war on drug abuse is the right and appropriate course of action to undertake now for more immediate good and the security of our future,’’ Saeed said.
He called for a collective sustenance of the war on drug abuse and illicit trafficking to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and secured nation.
