From Joseph Asegba, Yola.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Adamawa state Commander, Agboalu Femi Samson says the rate of drug abuse in the state alerted that more drugs have been shifted into the state with fewer arrests in 2024.
Commander revealed this in a press briefing to Commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2024 with the theme, “The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention” in Yola, the capital.
In memory lane, Samson said. “In the past years, Adamawa State Command has made significant strides in our operations. We have seen remarkable improvements in the number of arrests, seizures, and rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug abuse.”
He noted that our Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) efforts have been fruitful, with 107 residential clients treated counsel, and rehabilitated and 222 trafficking clients receiving brief intervention counselling. ”
He further said, “Our WADA sensitization program has reached a total of 47,372 individuals through 80 sensitization activities conducted in schools, communities, workplaces and faith-based organisations our comprehensive approach to drug prevention and education.”
The Adamawa NDLEA boss said “Just recently, on the 11th of June 2024 our combined team of the Agency in Numan area command offices and personnel from the Nigerian Army conducted a successful operation based on credible intelligence. In Ngurore town, Yola south LGA, we raided a two-room mud house in Euro Mallum Village.”
According to NDLEA Adamawa Command. “During this operation, we apprehended one Nura Mohammed (Haske) who is an accomplice to the notorious drug dealer Baba Dada. We seized a total of thirty-two ash-coloured bags containing compressed blocks of dried weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa. The contents of these bags amounted to 1,898 blocks weighing a total of 1,861 kg equivalent to 1.9 tons,” he added.
The Commander boasted that ” this significant bust is a testament to our relentless efforts to cut off the supply of illicit drugs into Adamawa state, while we have initiated an investigation are ongoing to apprehend the fugitive Baba Dada and bring him to Justice. This operation exemplifies our commitment to protecting our communities from the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking, he said.
He restates, “As we move forward, we must continue to invest in prevention. This means increasing our efforts in public education, and ensuring that our youths have access to accurate information and supportive environments that will dislodge drug use.”
Commander Samson therefore said, “I urge everyone to join hands in this fight against drug abuse, let us work together to create a future where our children can grow up in safe, healthy and drug-free communities.”
“Our prosecution efforts and forfeitures from June 2023 to June 2024, have yielded significant results. We have secured the conviction of 148 individuals comprising 145 Males and 3 Females, a notable increase grim the 115 convictions recorded between June 2022 and June 2023. The highest sentences handed down were 10 and 5 years imprisonment, with the least being 6 Months.”
“In terms of assets forfeiture, we have successfully obtained the final forfeiture of 4 vehicles and interim forfeiture of 3 additional vehicles, as well as a house consisting of 3 rooms located on Ngurore, Yola south LGA. Monetary forfeiture has also seen an increase, with the sum of N851,153 forfeiture to the Federal Government and deposited into the Treasury Single Account (TSA). Compared to N727, 480 in the previous years.”
Therefore, “Regarding our arrest and seizure activities from June 2022 to June 2024, we recorded a total of 454 arrests (447 males and 7 females) reflecting a 9.36% decrease from the 501 arrests made in the previous years. However, our drug seizures have significantly increased with a total of 4, 732.08 kg of drugs confiscated and a 75% increase from the 1,164,750 kg seized between June 2022 and June 2023.
“These seizures include a range of substances such as Cannabis Sativa, Methamphetamine (ice) tablets, Cocaire, Tramadol, Exol-5, Diazepam’s tablets, Codein- base syrup, Rohypno tablets and Pentazocine injection.”
