The Akwa Ibom State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 300 suspects and seized 190.419 kg of hard drugs between July 2023 and May 2024.
The State Commander of the Agency Mrs Obot Bassey while addressing a press conference in Uyo on Friday ahead of the June 26 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking noted that out of the 300 suspects arrested, 249 were males and 51 females while 61 offenders were convicted within the period.
The Commander explained that the Command has treated and rehabilitated 24 male drug-addicted persons, and also carried out drug abuse prevention education at 82 locations across the state.
“From July 2023- May 2024, the State Command of NDLEA recorded a total arrest of 300 suspects made up of 249 males and 51 females, and seized drugs weighing 190.419kg.
“Drug negatively impact people’s health and their well-being in the society. Deadly drugs such as Fentanyl and permeating the illicit drug markets and causing havoc and an ever-greater number of deaths.
“Illicit drug business is breaking formidable bounds, feeding crimes and violence in our communities and the nation,” she added.
Bassey noted that to prevent the abuse of alcohol, the government should further take steps to increase the price of the commodity and that will lead to the reduction of the consumption of alcohol.
She called on the government, philanthropists, individuals and institutions to invest massively in drug use preventive measures.