The Benue Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported the arrest of 251 individuals for various drug-related offenses in 2024.
State Commander of NDLEA, Mrs. Esther Musa, shared this information in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Makurdi, the state capital.
Musa, reflecting on the command’s accomplishments from January to December 2024, revealed that 220 of the suspects were male and 31 were female.
She further informed NAN that 31 suspects had been sentenced to various prison terms, 39 cases had been dismissed, and the rest were still pending.
Additionally, she stated that the command had seized various drugs, substances, and financial exhibits from the suspects.
“Cannabis sativa, popularly called weed, is the highest drug of them all. We were able to arrest one ton of cannabis (175.723 kg).
“The most common drug we have, Tramadol, is 43 kg, was seized and withdrawn from circulation, and also Fitamin 0.27 kg, Diazopharm 4.39 kg, and Codeine syrup 156.1 kg.
“Other items that were recovered within the year were locally made pistols, arms and ammunition, and explosives, which were transferred to the army and police, respectively.
“Our main achievement is centred around the area of arrest and seizures and WADA (War Against Drug Abuse) sensitisation and prosecution,” she stated.
She added that WADA is an enlightenment campaign that is championed by the agency to sensitise different target audiences and the populace on the menace and dangers of drug abuse, trafficking, cultivation, and other offences as it leads to substance abuse.
Musa said the agency organised 142 different enlightenment programmes predominantly in schools and worship centres.
The commander added that law enforcement agencies, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders were sensitised about the effects of drugs or substance abuse.
“Our supply reduction effort is centred on enlightenment, sensitisation, and advocacy, and the command intends to intensify its efforts on sensitisation to prevent the populace from being entangled with drugs.
“It is better to sensitise the people than to go after the dealers, as it is cheaper with sensitisation and advocacy than going out for arrest and seizures
“We appeal to well-meaning Nigerians, the Benue Government, and non-governmental organisations to provide the command with a more standard rehabilitation centre to help rehabilitate drug users.
“We have a mini rehabilitation centre within the premises of the command where a professional takes care of the place; the only problem is the facilities at the centre are not of standard.
“As it is now, we don’t have facilities for females, and we have been getting requests for rehabilitation for female clients, but there is no facility for that, so when they come, we decline,” she said.
Musa urged youths to shun any temptation of indulging in drug abuse, as it is detrimental to their health and future. so as not to kill the star in them.
(NAN)