By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
NATIONAL Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kogi State Command on Monday said it seized over 1.49 tonnes of illicit drugs and arrested 149 suspects in connection with the seizures in the last six months.
Umar Yahuza, NDLEA Commander in the state who disclosed this during a news conference at the commencement of activities to mark the United Nations Day Against drug Abuse and trafficking in Kogi.
The Commander said that the activities would be be rounded off on Wednesday, June 26, with a walk and convergence of youths at the Youth Centre in Lokoja.
Yahuza said the seizures and arrests were made between January and June 24 in Kogi State adding that the programme was organized by the NDLEA in collaboration with the state government.
The State Commander explained that 29 of the 149 suspects had been prosecuted and convicted while warrants of the 120 others are
still pending at Federal High Court, Lokoja.
He said, “The drug menace in Kogi and Nigeria is so disturbing and demands urgent action to arrest it before it destroys our youths and future leaders. This is because the ugly situation has serious implications on security, economic and the general wellbeing of the citizens.
“We have made series of arrests and seizures of assorted drugs such as codeine, Methamphetamine, Diazepam, tramadol, Cannabis sativa, Pentazocine among others
“In fact, statistics and empirical facts from the agency’s operations indicated clearly that drug problem is mutating into a colossal social problem and has become an issue linked beyond doubt to escalation of insecurity and its attendant effects on peace and economy across the country”, Yahuza said.
He attributed the rising cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, rape, criminality
and rampant cases of violent extremism in the country to the use of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances.
“Anywhere there is drug,
there is crime and vice versa” adding that Kogi State, being a microcosm of Nigeria, and a federating unit, cannot stand alone in the face of the ominous threats being posed by drug abuse and trafficking.
He said that the command, from the beginning of the year, had constantly engaged in various operations including sensitization and courtesy/advocacy visits in the effort to curtail drug peddling and use.
The Commander solicited the cooperation of government, corporate organizations and spirited individuals with NDLEA to address the menace.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Monday Anyebe, applauded NDLEA for stepping up the fight against illicit drugs in Kogi and the nation at large.
Anyebe explained that
Governor Ododo had enormous concern and interest in the wellbeing of every Kogi youth and remained desirous of a sane and productive youth population.
He reiterated the need for continued sensitization of the youth and the entire populace on the harmful effects of drug abuse describing it as a killer habit, believed to be more rampant among the youths.
“It’s evidently clear that investing in prevention is the most effective way to address drug abuse and addictions in the society .
“By investing in preventive measures, we can empower the younger generations with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to make informed decisions about their health and well-being as well as the growth and development of the country, ” the Commissioner said. (Ends)