NDLEA arrest 90 suspects for illicit drug trafficking in Kogi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) has arrested 90 suspects for illicit drug trafficking in Kogi.
The Kogi State Commander of the NDLEA, Abdulkadir Fakai Abdullahi disclosed this on Monday against the backdrop of the 2023 United Nations Day against drug abuse and trafficking.
Giving a breakdown of how the suspects were arrested, the NDLEA Commander explained that the command apprehended 24 suspects in January, February (7) March (21), April (9), May (14) and June (15).
He said the command seized 1,699.177kg of assorted illicit drugs in the last six months and that 20 of the suspects have been prosecuted and convicted while other cases are still pending in court.
While noting that the drug situation in Nigeria and Kogi State is disturbing, Abdullahi said the implication on the security, economic and general well-being of Nigeria is dire.
He said, “Statistics and empirical facts from National Drug Law Enforcement Agency operations indicate that the drug problem is mutating into a colossal social problem and has become an issue linked beyond doubt to the escalation of insecurity and its attendant effects on peace and economy across the country.
“The debilitating effects of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, rape electoral crisis and other violent crimes against humanity are contesting for the soul of our nation. We know that drugs are mostly the catalyst for these vices, anywhere there are drugs, there is crime and vice versa.
“The 2023 world drug day which is an annual event to mobilize resources, align policies and inspire organizations, communities and nations to work in a particular direction to effectively tackle the challenges of illicit substances in society.
“This year’s theme “People first, stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention” is in furtherance of a society approach to following the drug scourge. The theme is especially pertinent to our situation at the moment.
“It is important to state that, stigmatization that discourages drug users from seeking treatment, a development that has serious socio-economic repercussions for individual and their families. Stigmatization and discrimination make recovery and reintegration difficult for drug-dependent users who submit themselves for treatment”.
In the area of drug abuse and preventive education (DAPE), the NDLEA Commander said several schools and organizations were sensitized on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking from January to date while forty-two (42) clients referred from investigation units were counselled within the period.
He warned that drug dealers will have no place in Kogi State, adding that, it is either they stop or the long arm of the law will catch up with them.
Newsmen reports that, the 2023 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking has the theme: “People first: Stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention”.
