The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that it arrested 353 suspects for various drug-related crimes between June 2024 and the present date.
The agency also confirmed the seizure of a total of 3,125,875kg of illicit drugs, which includes cannabis sativa and psychotropic substances.
During a press briefing held to commemorate this year’s United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, NDLEA State Commander Ali Umar revealed that cannabis farms were discovered and destroyed across eight local government areas in the state.
He emphasized that the agency remains determined to win the fight against drug abuse, revealing that “the command successfully arrested a total number of 353 suspects, out of which 18 were females” and that “during the period under review, the command successfully secured a total number of 53 convictions of illicit drug dealers, attracting varying jail terms at the federal high court, Jalingo, while other cases are still under prosecution and trial.”
The commander further pointed out some operational challenges, including reluctance from local communities to provide credible intelligence on drug traffickers.
“Most painfully, the communities habitually take delight in launching mob attacks on officers during operations, thereby shielding criminal elements and aggravating insecurity in the state,” he stated.
Additional issues mentioned include a shortage of accommodation, insufficient operational logistics, and the absence of a treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation center.
However, he noted the agency’s strong cooperation with other security bodies in the state, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing and the handover of suspects and evidence.
Providing more figures, he stated: “The command recorded a total seizure of 1,275,538kg of different types of hard drugs, comprising cannabis sativa and psychotropic substances (the former representing 1,046,934kg, the latter weighing 228.604kg and about 30 hectares of cannabis sativa identified and destroyed farmlands in Gembu, Yorro, Ibi, Zing, Takum, Kurmi, Ardo-Kola and Karim Lamido local government areas).”
He concluded by noting: “As of this day, the grand total of exhibits in the command stands at 3,125,878.”
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