In Abuja yesterday, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) orchestrated the disposal of more than 30 tons of illicit drugs and substances, carrying an approximate street value of N2.58 billion.
The operation was a culmination of seizures made by the NDLEA’s FCT Command and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Addressing the gathering, NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, underscored the agency’s unwavering commitment to combatting drug abuse and urged citizens to actively participate in the fight against drugs.
Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, Mrs. Victoria Egbase, representing the NDLEA Chairman, emphasized that the public destruction of over 30 tons of illicit drugs highlighted the agency’s dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerians.
The breakdown of the destroyed substances included 72.156 kgs of Cocaine, 4.3838 kgs of Heroin, 3.9 kgs of Ephedrine, 20.185 kg of Methamphetamine, and 30,440.42 kgs of Cannabis.
“Others includes: 0.2115kgs of Rohypnol, 274.891kg of Tramadol, 397.35kgs of Diazepam and 239.2kg of Khat, totaling 31, 531.09kgs.
“These drugs are valued at an estimated N2,580,209,783.00 in street value,” he said.
Marwa said that the sheer bulk of the drugs destroyed was a reminder about the magnitude of the drug problem in the country.
”Just two of the facts are enough to cause a sober reflection. One: 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15- 64 years are abusing drugs.
That is the size of the population of some countries. ”And two, 10.6 million of our compatriots abuse cannabis, which makes Nigeria one of the countries with the highest number of people addicted to the psychotropic plant.”
He said that; ”the statistics are worrisome when you look beyond the figures to their health and security implications.
“While the larger society may not have an immediate grasp of the import of the drug facts and figures of Nigeria, those of us at NDLEA can read the handwriting on the wall as per the dire implications of the findings from the survey.
“That is why since the coming on board of the current leadership of NDLEA in January 2021, we have doubled down on our efforts and now aggressively pursue our mandate.
“To this end, NDLEA has been effectively repositioned more than ever before to curtail the production, cultivation, processing, importation, exportation, sales, trafficking and abuse of controlled drugs and illicit substances.”
Speaking earlier, the NDLEA FCT Commander, Mr Kabir Tsakuwa said that the destroyed illicit drugs were product of pains- taking drug enforcement efforts of the last three years, beginning from Jan. 30, 2021.
Tsakuwa said that the command successfully convicted 306 drug dealers comprising 294 male and 12 female to various jail terms within the period.
