Joy Anyim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, said it arrested 584 suspects involved in drug trafficking and relates offences in the last one year.
The state’s Commander, Barr. Ralph Igwenagu stated this, on Tuesday, while speaking on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Igwenagu, also revealed that the command had seized a total of 14,196.800kg of hard drugs comprising of Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol, Rohypnol, Cough Syrup with Codeine and others.
The NDLEA revealed that the command secured the conviction of 144 defendants, who were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, while 160 drug users were counseled and rehabilitated.
Stating that the theme for the year’s celebration was, ‘Better Knowledge for Better Care’ #FactsForSolidarity, the Commander said that the United Nations had set aside the day to highlight the dangers associated with drug trafficking and abuse, as well as assess their performances in drug control and re-invigorate their efforts at curtailing the drug menace.
Speaking on the dangers associated with drug trafficking and abuse, Igwenagu said that the increasing rate of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes is traced to the scourge.
He further reiterated that drug trafficking and abuse had destroyed many lives, and crippled once flourishing careers.
He said, “ The escalating wave of crime and criminality such as banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, militancy, terrorism and other forms of societal decay which are challenges confronting us today are rooted in the pervasive consumption of drugs.
“The challenge is further compounded by the ever increasing number of Psychoactive Substances of abuse and use of prescription drugs such as Tramadol, Cough syrup with Codeine, Rohypnol and the locally blended Skushi drink by youths between 18 and 35 years. This has become worrisome indeed.
“The Theme for this year’s event is quite apt and timely as it clearly underscores the current response to the current world drug challenge which requires better and informed knowledge of drug use disorders which are the result of a complex inter play of factors that are beyond the control of an individual.
“The theme aims at improving the understanding of the world drug problem and fostering greater international co-operation for countering its impact on health, governance and security.
“Lagos State Command is determined to curtail to the barest minimum the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the state through effective drug law enforcement, prosecution of drug law offenders as well public enlightenment and sensitisation, advocacy and rehabilitation of addicts.
“The Command has arrested 584 drug suspects for drug related offences. The Command has also within the period seized a total of 14, 196.800kg of hard drugs comprising of Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol, Rohypnol, Cough Syrup with Codeine etc. In addition, the Command has secured the conviction of 144 defendants and they were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, while 160 drug users were counseled and rehabilitated.”
While assuring that the command would leave no stone unturned in confronting the problem, regardless of the Covid-19 pandemic, Igwenagu said he appreciates the Chairman/Chief Executive, NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd) for his unflinching support to the Command.
Igwenagu also appreciated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, personnel of the command and sister security agencies.
“The Nigerian Police, the Military, Para-military agencies, and the State Drug Abuse Control Committee (SDACC), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the print and electronic media and all our collaborators too numerous to mention,” he said.
