The Akwa Ibom State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of 312 drug suspects and the seizure of 803.672 kilograms of narcotics between June 2024 and May 2025.
State Commander of the NDLEA, Mrs. Obot Bassey, disclosed this during a press briefing in Uyo on Tuesday as part of activities marking the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
This year’s event carries the theme: “The Evidence Is Clear: Invest In Prevention, #BreakTheCircle.”
Providing a breakdown of the arrests, Bassey said 261 of the suspects were male and 51 were female. She also noted that 38 offenders had been prosecuted and convicted during the period under review.
“From June 2024 to May 2025, we have arrested 312 suspects, made up of 261 males and 51 females, and we have seized a quantity of drugs, 803.672 kg,” she stated.
“We have prosecuted and convicted 38 drug offenders and we have carried out drug addiction prevention at 91 locations across Akwa Ibom State and we have rehabilitated 43 males and counselled 179 persons,” she added.
Highlighting the significance of this year’s theme, Bassey stressed that the campaign against drug abuse was shifting from reactive enforcement to evidence-based prevention strategies.
She emphasized that drug abuse should not be viewed solely as a criminal issue but also as a public health concern.
According to her, “The theme was a shift from reaction to prevention and based on strategies, not on guesswork, but on data, research and evidence.”
Bassey called for collaborative efforts from stakeholders to combat the scourge of drug abuse.
She said, “Prevention is a shared responsibility,” urging parents, educators, religious and community leaders to help build a drug-free environment for Nigerian youths.
She also appealed for more support, particularly in logistics, to enable the agency reach all parts of the state.
The NDLEA commander commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its ongoing support and called on other stakeholders to invest in preventive measures.
“This year’s theme calls for the continuation of sustained investment in prevention,” she said.
In conclusion, she acknowledged the contributions of sister security agencies in the state, noting their cooperation in the fight for a drug-free society.
