The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has said that it arrested 42, 105 drug offenders, including 46 barons; seized 7, 500 tons of drugs; 1, 057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed and 8, 350 offenders in about three years.
This was made known in a statement issued on Monday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi when the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Christopher Gusau visited the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen Buba Maruwa (rtd), at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
He equally disclosed that the military has vowed to strengthen its synergy with NDLEA in order curtail the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
The statement said Marwa lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces under the leadership of the CDS for their loyalty, sacrifices and hard work to keep the country safe, while appreciatingthe military for supporting the Agency in terms of logistics and training.
The NDLEA boss made it clear that substance abuse is at the root of crimes and criminalities across the country, while highlighting the significance of the partnership between the military and the NDLEA.
“The criminal elements rely on drugs to carry out their criminalities and that is why we have been very ferocious in our offensive action against them to cut access and availability of these illicit drugs.
“As a result, in about three years we have arrested 42, 105 drug offenders, including 46 barons; seized 7, 500 tons of drugs; 1, 057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed and 8, 350 offenders convicted while 29,400 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated within the same period.”
Marwa called on Armed Forces to consider constructing a central rehabilitation centre and creating rehab facilities in existing military hospitals to attend to the treatment of their personnel that may have issues of substance abuse.
The CDS had earlier commended the NDLEA management team for their efforts on the drug war.
He gave the assurance that the Armed Forces would continue to support the NDLEA in its renewed fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
He noted that the Agency’s efforts have motivated the military to introduce drug tests as a requirement for training and promotion in the armed forces.
