|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said its Enugu Command has arrested 122 suspects for drug-related offences.
Acting State Commander, Peter Ogar disclosed this at a press conference on Thursday as part of a week-long programme of activities commemorating this year’s United Nations Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking on Thursday at the NDLEA , Enugu State Headquarters, Enugu.
Acting Commander Ogar said the command also seized 1843kgs of assorted illicit drugs in one year.
He said out of the 122 suspects arrested, 119 were males and three females.
According him, the seized illicit drugs comprise 1773.62kg of cannabis sativa , 1.048kg methamphetamine , 22.17grm cocaine and 62.89kg psychotropic substances .
He said that the command alos prosecuted 54 drug suspects; secured convictions and successfully counselled, treated, rehabilitated and discharged 45 persons with substance use disorder adding that within the period the command also publicly destroyed 24 tons of various types of illicit drugs.
Ogar said that in line with international best practices, the Agency is living up to its mandate in its commitment to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction which centre on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of drug users in partnership with relevant stakeholders including the media, International Society of Substance Abuse Professionals (ISSUP), Enugu State government, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other non-state actors.
He extolled Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa for the creative approach and renewed vigour he brought to bear on the anti-drug war in Nigeria.
Ogar, however, listed the challenges facing the command to include lack of operational vehicles, dearth of standard rehabilitation centre, recreational facilities for the clients and funds among others.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “People first: Stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen Prevention .”
“I am pleased to welcome you all to this year’s commemoration of the United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking. It’s a day of utmost importance to the global community in the continuous effort to ameliorate the consequences of abuse of illicit substances and make our world a safe place”.
“This year’s theme is “people first, stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen discrimination. This theme is uniquely historic because it realizes the importance of taking a people- oriented approach to drug policies, with focus on human rights and evidence based practices, and prioritizing prevention, and leading with compassion. This underscores the need for our deep empathy, help, support, care and understanding towards people with substance use disorders in the society.”
“I would like to disclose that between June 2022 and this time, NDLEA, Enugu State Command has arrested 122 suspects, comprising of 119 males 3 females and seized 1843.5802kg of different illicit drugs.
The breakdown of the seizure is as follows: Cannabis Sativa: 1773.62Kg, Methamphetamine: 1.048kg, psychotropic substances:62.89kg”. “Similarly, the command also prosecuted 54 drug suspects and successfully counseled/treated, rehabilitated and discharged 45 people with substance use disorder”. “Within the period too, the command carried out public destruction of various types of illicit drugs totaling 23,721704kg.
“ We are also strengthening our collaboration and efforts with other relevant stakeholders like the media, International Society of Substance Abuse Prevention Professionals (1SSUP), the State government, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other non-state actors, who have made immense contributions towards our efforts in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking”.
“I also want to let you know that the Agency is pursuing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction, which has to do with prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of drug users. In line with the international best practices, we must strike balance between these two crucial components if we are to achieve our desired goal of reducing illicit drug in the society”.
“It is line with this that the present CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen, Mohammed Buba Marwa (RTD) CON, OFR launched (WADA) program which is currently the driving force of the Agency”.
“However, there are obvious challenges. The Command is lacking, the basic facilities and logistics to succeed in their operations: operational vehicles, dearth of standard rehabilitation centre, recreational facilities for our clients; funds etc. and we believe with the collective effort we can overrun the monster”.
“On our path, the Agency will not rest on its oars, but will continue to exploit all avenues within the ambit of the law to rid the entire State and Country of the menace of hard drugs.
