NDLEA, Interpol Others, Seize 881 Kg of Illicit Drugs in Sokoto

National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency( NDLEA) in conjunction with Interpol and other agencies, have seized 881 kilogrammes of illicit drugs as a result of a joint operation conducted in Sokoto State and the Nigeria-Niger border.

The Chairman of the Agency, Col. Mustapha Abdallah (rtd), disclosed this in Sokoto on Friday at the closing ceremony of a five-day Joint Training and Operations Exercise organised by the ECOWAS, in conjunction with Interpol, in Sokoto.

Abdallah stated that the seizures were made sequel to the joint operation code-named, '' Operation Ninibo, Nigeria-Niger border.'', adding that six suspects, including a 12- year old boy, were arrested during the operation.

He gave the breakdown of the seizures as: Diazepam 67.10kgs, Tramadol 22.60kgs, cough syrup with codeine 794kgs and 30kgs of cannabis.

According to him, there was robust existing Protocol between Nigeria and Niger republic, which is the background of these efforts to rid the region of illicit drugs.

''It is against this background that the agency is currently working out modalities to engage member states of the sub-region on bilateral agreements.

''This will lead to the signing of Memoranda of Understanding that will strengthen cooperation, enhance intelligence sharing and mitigate constraints," he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of ECOWAS Commission, Marcel de Souza, represented by Col. Diange Abdulrahman, described West Africa as a regional hub for the production, trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs and other related crimes.

Souza said lack of effective management and control of West Africa land, sea and air borders fostered the prevalence of illicit drug trafficking, as well as organised crimes.

The Leader of the team from Niger Republic and Commissioner of Police, Salifou Assoumane, restated the commitment to rid the Nigerian-Niger borders of illicit drug trafficking, criminal networks and the sale of illicit drugs.