The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kogi State, Nigeria, has announced significant achievements in its fight against drug abuse and trafficking for the year 2023. According to the Commander of the NDLEA in Kogi, Adeyeye Olusegun, the command made a total seizure of 6,911.2 kilograms of illicit substances and arrested 273 suspects in connection with these seizures between January and December 2023.
Olusegun described the achievements as a “very remarkable and steady progress” in demand and supply reduction in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the state. The seized hard drugs included Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol, Diazepam, Meth, Rohypnol, Pentazocine Injection, Exol-5, Cocaine, Codeine, Pethidine Injection, Ergometrine Injection, Nitrous Oxide, and Heroin.
Out of the 273 suspects arrested, 229 were male, and 44 were female. The commander mentioned that 17 suspects were tried and convicted, and the NDLEA filed 86 cases in the courts, securing 17 convictions within the period. Additionally, the command seized other exhibits not within its purview for prosecution, which were subsequently transferred to appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution.
These exhibits included military uniform vests, superpower explosives, local pistols, pump-action rifles, an RLA (Rocket-Propelled Grenade Launcher), and cartridges, all of which were transferred to the Nigerian Military in Lokoja. The NDLEA also transferred 199 cartons of Nitrous Oxide, discovered in two buses, to NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) for investigation and potential prosecution of the suspects involved.
As part of its drug demand reduction and advocacy activities, the NDLEA in Kogi State provided counseling to 147 males and 30 females between January and the present date.
