Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), claims the agency has captured over 6,668 tonnes of illegal drugs in the last two years.
Marwa stated this in response to Gov. Dikko Radda’s appeal for collaboration and the deployment of more NDLEA officers to all sections of Katsina.
This was said by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Friday in Abuja.
Marwa further stated that over 36,096 individuals had been apprehended and over 6,043 had been prosecuted and convicted within the same time period.
He stated that the drug problem was a massive problem that has wrecked the lives of many Nigerian youngsters and communities.
According to him, it is the public enemy number one, particularly in terms of the criminal element, because 99 percent of criminals must first have access to drugs and be under the influence in order to do some of their crimes.
“That is why the NDLEA, under the collective support of the directorates and management, has put all efforts towards operation ‘offensive action’.
“This operation involves going out to seize all drugs cultivated, imported, or on the verge of being exported out of the country.
More than 6,668 tonnes of illicit substances have been seized in two years, and this is the drug supply reduction aspect.
“We have also arrested the perpetrators of the act, and more than 36,096 suspects have been arrested and more than 6,043 have already been prosecuted and convicted within this period.”
“They are targeted through advocacy and sensitisation across all levels.
“It is for this reason we structured the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative from the national to Local Government Area (LGA) levels,” he said.
He assured that the agency would continue relentlessly until the streets were cleared of drugs.
Speaking earlier, Radda said that the synergy was important and needed in the state.
According to him, the Katsina State Government recognises that the NDLEA has been making lots of efforts to support, the government.
“But we still need more support from the chairman to stop the movement of drugs and ensure the arrest and prosecution of dealers in the state.”
The governor appealed for better partnership and synergy to reduce the abuse of drugs, the activities of banditry and trafficking in the state.
“We appeal to the NDLEA for support, and on behalf of the Katsina state government, we appreciate the NDLEA for the work you are doing.
