Over N50 billion worth of drugs weighing about 20,000 kilograms was reportedly destroyed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Speaking during the burning of the illicit drug, in Abuja, the Chiarman, NDLEA, (rtd.) Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, represented by the Secretary of the agency, Bar. Shadrach Haruna said the sheer size of the drugs destroyed was a reminder of the magnitude of the drug problem in the country.
said “To be destroyed here today is approximately 20,000 kilograms of illicit drugs valued at over N50 billions.
“Approximately, 19,598 kilograms of these assorted illicit drugs were seized by the FCT Command, comprising 19,178 kilograms of cannabis, 0.1 kilograms of cocaine, 0.009 kilograms of heroin and 420 kilograms of other psychotropic substances.
“The remaining kilograms, seized at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, (NAIA) comprised 173 kilograms of cocaine, 36 kilograms of heroin, 93 kilograms of ephedrine, 60 kilograms of methamphetamine, 58 grams of cannabis, 219 grams of Rohypnol and 150 grams of Tramadol,” he said.
Marwa assured the agency would continue to engage with all critical stakeholders, including traditional and religious institutions, community-based groups and civil society, among others, in the collective responsibility.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign of the NDLEA on June 26.
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Meanwhile, the FCT commander, NDLEA, Dr Mohammed Sokoto, said “The concept is a drug preventive strategy, in which all our parks, gardens, recreation centres, hospitality industry such as hotels, clubs, and guest houses will have Anti Drug Notice Boards conspicuously placed to prevent drug activities in those premises.”
The minister, represented by the Director Security Service, FCTA, Dr Abdulatif Bello, said all hands must be on deck as the fight against drug abuse and trafficking was not for the NDLEA alone.
“I commend the NDLEA for the good work. Drug abuse and illicit trafficking is a cankerworm that must be addressed by all,” he said.
Representatives of stakeholders such as the Association of community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), the Judiciary among others commended the NDLEA for the success recorded so far since the chairman assumed office.
NAN reports that the exercise took place in accordance with the prescription of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) concerning the best method of disposing seized drugs without polluting the environmental ecosystem or endangering public health. (NAN)
