In Enugu, NDLEA destroys 24 tonnes of illegal drugs

The amount of illegal drugs that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, or NDLEA, destroyed in Enugu State between 2008 and 2022 was not more than 24 tonnes.

In his speech at the exhibit burning ceremony at phase 11 of the Enugu Port-Harcourt motorway, Enugu State, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa made this point.

Marwa urged Nigerians to join the government in the fight against drug abuse and illegal trafficking because she regretted the harmful effects that drugs could have on people’s health if they were not seized.

Bawa, represented by Samuel Gadzama, Director of Operations and General Investigation for the agency, revealed that a total of 23,721.798kg of drugs were seized during the time period, including cannabis sativa (23,225.1kg), cocaine (21.699kg), heroin (14.828kg), amphetamine (0.0618kg), methamphetamine (24.347kg), precursor chemicals (154.0kg), and pharmaceuticals (281.769kg).

He gave the populace his word that the agency would keep using all legal means available to get rid of the hard drug threat in the state.

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“I won’t forget to acknowledge the important roles and contributions made by our international counterparts, including the German Police, the UK Board Force, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United States DEA, and many others who are too numerous to list to the success of the Agency. I also want to thank the State’s other security organisations for helping the NDLEA’s work.

I appeal to all Nigerians to join the government in the fight against drug abuse and illegal trafficking. Wide-ranging negative effects of these twin evils include, but are not limited to, harm to human health, preventable traffic accidents, and drug-related crimes.

“I would like to add that there won’t be any more weed or other psychotropic substances for burning in the near future if the current pace of work in combating the drug epidemic is maintained with the help of non-state actors and parents.

“For our part, I can assure you that the Agency will not let up in the fight against the threat of hard drugs, but rather will keep looking into every legal option available.

“I also want to let you know that the NDLEA is not only engaged in the arrest and prosecution of drug offenders, but also in combating the scourge through aggressive drug awareness and sensitization programmes, aimed at youths and other vulnerable groups in our society.

The Agency has also played a significant role in providing drug addicts with counselling and treatment. For members of the public who might need assistance with drug-related issues, the agency recently opened a 24/7 toll-free call centre at 080010203040.

In his remarks, the governor of Enugu State, Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, praised the agency for its efforts to clean up the state’s drug problem and gave them the support of the state government.

Gov. Ugwuanyi stated that the state government is leading the fight against drug abuse and emphasised that they would keep up the pace to ensure the state remains one of the most tranquil and secure in the nation. He was represented by the SPA on Information, Hon. Steve Oruruo.

Aniette Idim Bassey, the commander of the NDLEA in Enugu State,

added that it was the agency’s cumulative, painstaking, and diligent effort to rid the state of illicit drugs and their effects. The public destruction of illicit drug exhibit by burning case was completed at the federal high court in Enugu, it was disclosed.

You may find it interesting to know that a total of 23,506.279 kilogrammes of various illicit drugs were seized in the Enugu State Command and 215.515 kilogrammes were taken from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and are being destroyed today. These substances were intended to be distributed and consumed by citizens and good citizens of Enugu State with the potential to disrupt the peace and tranquilly of the State.

“Let me also reaffirm that we are unwavering in our collective determination to carry on the struggle against our public enemies, the traffickers in illegal drugs throughout Enugu State. We do this in order to express our gratitude to Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, our amiable Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, whose leadership has seen the Agency reorganised, rebranded, and repositioned for the task at hand.