The Plateau State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),
Dr. Ngozi Madubuike has destroyed 3,888 kilograms of illicit drugs and substance seized in the State.
Dr. Madubuike made this disclosure during the public burning of drug exhibits, at Nanfang Mountain, Du, in Jos.
According to Madubuike, “a total of 3,888 kg of various drugs consisting of 3,773.247 kg of cannabis Sativa, 114,753kg of Psychotropic substances and 121.5g of cocaine seized by Plateau State Command from persons convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment by the Federal high Court as well as abandoned seizures from persons who escaped arrest are being destroyed today’.
It would be recalled that the promulgation of Decree 48 of 1989 (now ACT CAP N30 LFN) establishing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was necessitated by the incessant arrest of Nigerians within and outside the country for drug related offences.
While enumerating the achievements of her state command, Madubuike outlined that in the year 2013, 318 suspects were arrested while a total of 2,186.516kg of drug exhibits consisting of 2,082.249kg of cannabis sativa popularly known as Igbo, 99.167kg of psychotropic substances, and 5.1g of cocaine were seized while 122 drug offenders were convicted, adding that in 2014, 283 suspected dealers were arrested in Plateau State with a total seizure of 1,209.924kg of drug exhibits comprising cannabis sativa and psychotropic substances such as tramadol, diazepam, exol 5, while 88 drug traffickers were convicted.
She also pointed out that 48 drug dependent patients were counselled and rehabilitated while from January 2015 to date, the Command has arrested 78 suspects with 469.910kg of drugs seized and secured the conviction of 10 drug offenders.
While expressing her command’s determination to rid the State of drugs menace, Madubuike stated that the drug problem on the Plateau requires concerted and collective efforts by all and sundry as the drug menace among the youths has taken a wide and frightening dimension.
In his address at the occasion, National Chairman, NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, stated that the prevalence of drug trafficking in an atmosphere where there is proliferation of illegal arms especially small arms and light weapons portends a serious challenge to peace and security adding that illicit drug proceeds are prone to criminal manipulation including acquisition of arms and ammunitions and financing of terrorism while most mindless atrocities are perpetrated under the influence of drugs.
Giade maintained that in view of the above mentioned, the NDLEA is giving priority attention to counter-narcotic programes, re-assuring that drug cartels have no hiding place in Nigeria.
The Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, represented by John Dadut, Commissioner of Environment, expressed government’s readiness to support NDLEA and other sister agencies in curbing the trafficking and abuse of drugs and substance in the State.
Those in attendance at the occasion were the STF Commander, Maj. Gen, Enete, Commissioner of Police, Oki, State Comptrollers of Immigration, Customs, State Commandant, NSCD, Rep of GOC, 3rd Armoured Div, Speaker, PLHA, Rep of Mangu LGC Chairman, VC University of Jos, amongst others.
