NDLEA seizes 1,781.85kg of hemp, arrests 73 suspected drug offenders

*Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says the anti-narcotics agency now focuses on the Federal Government’s War Against Drugs Abuse initiative to prevent people from using drugs as well as reforming, rehabilitating and reintegrating drug addicts into the society

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Osun State Command, has said that its operatives apprehended 73 persons for drug offences, and seized 1,781.854 kg of Indian hemp between January and February 2022.

It was gathered Mr. Yomade Ogunbiyi, NDLEA Commandant in Osun State, disclosed this Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Osogbo, the state capital, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA

Ogunbiyi spoke against the backdrop of the agency’s war against illicit drugs and drug abuse.

According to him, the Command arrested 43 people, and seized 1,554.232 kg of hemp in January, while 30 people were arrested and 227.622 kg were seized February this year.

“The agency also achieved one conviction in January and five convictions were achieved in February.

“In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s War Against Drugs Abuse (WADA) initiative, the NDLEA also carries out counselling and rehabilitation for drug addicts,” Ogunbiyi said.

The anti-narcotics regulatory agency, he noted, is now focusing on the WADA initiative to prevent people from using drugs as well as reforming, rehabilitating and reintegrating drug addicts into the society.

The NDLEA was planning to build six rehabilitation centres, one in each of the six geo-political zones, as part of its counselling and rehabilitation work, stated he.

He said: “Though NDLEA is mostly known for making arrests, seizure of drugs and prosecution of suspects, the agency’s second mandate, key to our operation, is preventing people from using drugs.

“We also carry out public enlightenment, counselling and providing aftercare services to addicts, to help reduce the negative effect of drug abuse in the country.”