BENIN CITY– The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Col Mustafa Abdula (Rtd) has assured that Nigeria will continue to dislodge criminal drug syndicates, seeking to turn the country and West Africa Sub-region to a hub for illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse.
Col Abdula gave the assurance in an address delivered on his behalf by the Edo State Commander of the Agency, Mr. Wakara Buba, to mark the 2016 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
He said the theme for this year’s campaign is “Listen First”, which is a clarion call on parents to strengthen the relationship between them and their children; pointing out that when the parents reach out to young persons, listen to them and share their concerns, they help them to build positive attitudes and relevant skills needed to prevent drug abuse and other social vices inimical to societal peace and development.
He informed that drug syndicates constantly seek ways of circumventing drug control laws, they introduce new psychotropic substances annually and change drug trafficking routes, as they are now targeting Africa as a trans-shipment point for smuggling cocaine across the Atlantic into Europe and with the expansion of methamphetamine markets in East and South East Asia, West Africa is now the focus of drug cartels.
He added that NDLEA will resist any move to use the sub-region as a hub for illicit drug production and trafficking, apart from the huge seizures of narcotics at the airports, seaport and land borders, the agency made a significant break through by detenting eleven clandestine laboratories for the production of methamphetamine in the country since 2011.
He, however said the agency will continue to undertake innovative approaches to drug control by strengthening international cooperation and urged all not to fail in their responsibility to intensify efforts toward ensuring lasting peace and security of mankind.
In his address, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Buba Wakawa said the agency is taking the war against drug abuse and illicit trafficking through supply reduction and drug demand reduction strategies.
He said between June 26, 2015-June 26, 2016, Edo State Command has incapacitated numerous drugs trafficking syndicates with the arrest of four hundred and three (403) suspects and made a seizure of 42,850. 99kg (approximately 53 tomes) of different types of hard drugs, twelve (12) vehicles used as the mode of conveyance were also seized, while fifty two (52) convictions were secured at the Federal High Court Benin, a total of 66.298742 hectares of cannabis sativa farms were destroyed and in the areas of Drug demand reduction, one hundred and seventy four (174) drug dependent persons were counselled, reliabilities and re-integrated into the society.
He them appealed to members of the public to be sensitive and report suspicious drug activities in their neighbourhood.
