NDLEA destroys N133m worth of drugs in Kaduna

Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) led by Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai on Wednesday destroyed drugs weighing 12,366 kilograms in Kufena Zaria, Kaduna State.

The estimated street value of the drugs is N133 million.

El-Rufai, who said that the security of lives and property is a cardinal focus of his government, disclosed that over 100 patrol vehicles would soon be distributed to security agencies in the state.

Ahmadu Giade, chairman/CEO, NDLEA, said the destruction was symbolic and in line with the NDLEA Act.

“NDLEA Act mandates us under Section 3 subsection 1 (i) to take measures for the early destruction or disposal of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances which have been seized, confiscated or forfeited Public destruction of drugs is therefore a continuous exercise in our quest to have a drug-free and secured society in Nigeria and the world at large,” he said.

The chairman, who was represented by the director of prosecution and legal services of the Agency, Sunday Joseph, gave the breakdown of the drugs.

According to him, “we have the permission of the court to publicly destroy a total of 12,366kgs of narcotic drugs. The breakdown of the drugs is as follows; Cannabis Sativa also known as Hemp constitutes the bulk of the drugs with 12,351.938kgs, Psychotropic substances are 13.443kgs, Cocaine 63 grammes and Heroin 57 grammes”.

The NDLEA boss said that 27 million people were problem drug users suffering from drug use disorders or drug dependence, according to World Drug Report 2015. The report adds that a total of 246 million people or 1 out of 20 people between the ages of 15 and 64 years used an illicit drug in 2013.

“Nigeria used to be a transit point because of the activities of drug cartels that import drugs from drug producing countries to Nigeria before smuggling same to Europe, Asia and America. However, the situation is changing as Nigeria is gradually becoming a producer country. Apart from the cultivation of cannabis, the Agency has discovered ten clandestine laboratories used for the production of methamphetamine in the past five years” Giade stated.

While calling for more support and goodwill from members of the public, Giade promised to intensify investigation of suspected drug dealers in order to bring them to book and ensure the forfeiture of their ill-gotten wealth.

According to Giade, “many students have dropped out of school on account of drugs while others in prison custody for trafficking narcotics. Drug addiction has compelled many addicts to treatment centres and psychiatric hospitals over mentally induced ailments while some have died prematurely. The sad stories of children who murdered their parents, siblings and neighbours under the influence of drugs are timely warnings”.