NDLEA Seizes 1,804kg Drugs, Arrest 227 Suspects in Kogi, Sokoto

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 227 suspects with a total of 3,804kg of assorted hard drugs between January and June in Kogi and Sokoto States. While Kogi accounted for 2,699kg of drugs and 149 suspects, Sokoto recorded 103 kg of drugs and 78 suspects.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lokoja yesterday to mark the beginning of a week-long activities in celebration of the 2022 United Nations Day Against drug Abuse and trafficking, the Kogi State Commander NDLEA , Mr. Abdulkadir Abdullahi Fakai, said pointed out that 149 drug suspects made up of both males and females were arrested with the 2,699kg assorted drugs within the period under review include codeine, Methamphetamine, Exol-5, Diazepam, tramadol, Cannabis sativa, Pentazocine amongst others.

The NDLEA boss stated that the agency recorded the highest seizure of 948.956kg in April followed by 307.815kg in May while the list of 59.973 kg was recorded within June

He said that already the command has tried and convicted 29 accused persons while other cases are still pending at the Federal High Court, Lokoja.

“The drug situation in Nigeria and indeed Kogi is disturbing, especially being a microcosm of Nigeria, and as a federating unit, Kogi cannot stand alone in the face of this ominous threat of drug abuse and trafficking.

“The implication on security, economic and the general wellbeing is dire. Statistics and empirical facts from NDLEA operations indicate clearly that the drug problem is mutating into a colossal social problem.

“It has become an issue linked beyond doubt to the escalation of insecurity and its attendant effects on peace and economy across the country, “he said

He said that the debilitating effects of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, rape and other violent crimes against humanity were contesting for the soul of our nation.