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The Nasarawa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said it arrested no fewer than 150 suspected drug traffickers between the months of July 2023 and June 2024.
The State Commander of the NDLEA, Peter Onche-Odaudu made the disclosure at the grand finale of a week-long event to mark the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Lafia on Wednesday.
Onche-Odaudu said that the suspects comprised 144 males and six females while 7,148.95 holograms of illicit drugs were seized within the period under review.
According to the commander, the over seven tons of exhibit seized were made up of 7,037.2kg of Indian hemp, 0.011kg of Cocaine, 0.185kg of Methamphetamine and 111.53kg of sundry psychotropic substances.
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“A very significant arrest and seizure is that of 4,037kg of Indian hemp in one fell swoop on Sunday, February 4, 2024.
“This remains the single highest seizure of drugs in the history of the drug war in Nasarawa State. The suspects arrested and the 40-footer truck seized are being prosecuted and forfeited respectively,” he said.
He added that the command, through its War Against Drug Abuse campaign, sensitised no fewer than 46,802 persons – 27,033 males and 19,769 females in schools, communities, workplaces and motor parks across the state.
“As part of our rehabilitation programme, Eight male clients were taken into our facility, counselled and rehabilitated, 752 arrested suspects who were obvious drug users, were given brief counselling interventions and released to their families,” he said.
Onche-Odaudu noted that the theme for the 2024 Drugs Day commemoration, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention” was instructive as it tallied with the ideal of the UN to prioritise prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation over punishment and incarceration.
He attributed the feat recorded by the command in the drug war to the support from Governor Abdullahi Sule, his wife, Silifat Sule and the encouragement from the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Retired Brig.-Gen. Muhammed Buba Marwa, as well as other stakeholders in the state.
The NDLEA boss further appreciated the officers and men of the command for their bravery and commitment to the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, which had yielded tremendous results in the state.