The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Tuesday in Ibereko Badagry, Lagos, destroyed 304,436 kg and 40,042 litres of illicit substances seized from parts of Lagos and Ogun States.
The Chairman of the Agency, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the open destruction of the seized illicit drugs was in adherence with court orders.
Mr Marwa called for more public support for the ongoing efforts by the NDLEA and other stakeholders to curb the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
“Though a routine exercise and an established process of removing dangerous substances from our society, the public destruction of confiscated illicit drugs is usually conducted at the end of their related cases in court, “ the NDLEA boss said.
The chairman noted that the exhibits being destroyed were of mixed types.
According to him, they include illicit drugs in solid and liquid states, as well as in various classes such as cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and tramadol, among others.
He said the drugs were seized by NDLEA operatives across different formations of the agency in Lagos and Ogun states, from January 2022 till date, especially at the Lagos seaports, airports, and land borders.
“To be destroyed here today on the order of the court are solid drugs, weighing 304,436.055kg and 40, 042. 621 litres of liquid drugs.
“The sheer volume of the drug haul speaks volumes about the extent of the nefarious activities of the drug underworld,” he noted.
Mr Marwa appreciated the traditional rulers, heads of security agencies, the clergy, members of NGOs and CSOs, as well as other stakeholders, who witnessed the ceremony.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Chairman, Badagry West Local Government, Olusegun Onilude, expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the NDLEA in tackling the scourge of illicit drugs in the country.
“Almost all crimes and criminalities are fueled by illicit drugs, so the Lagos State Government appreciates the NDLEA and its leadership in their resolute fight against illicit drugs.
“The volume of illicit drugs being destroyed here today speak volume and every right-thinking person should be worried,” he stated.
Mr Sanwo-Olu also commended the agency for taking the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy campaign to schools and communities across the state.
“No doubt, NDLEA is working, and the state will continue to collaborate with the agency and its leadership,” he assured.
Mr Marwa on Monday in Lagos, announced that 50,901 drug offenders, including 46 barons, have been arrested in the last three years.
He also said that within the period, the agency successfully prosecuted and convicted 9,034 of them, as well as seized over 7,561 tonnes of illicit substances.
NAN
Credit Gist New Today News in Newspaper Nigeria Headlines
