The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it arrested 220 suspects for drug-related offences in Edo from February till date.
NDLEA Commander in Edo, Mr Callys Alumona, disclosed this in Benin on Wednesday in his address at an event to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to Alumona, the suspects include 148 males and 72 females.
The NDLEA boss noted, however, that 18 convictions were secured with 115 trials currently pending before the Federal High Court in Benin.
“It is interesting to note our effort in eradicating substance use in Edo state, especially, Ihama Road, Boundary Road, TV Road, Sapele Road axis of Benin, Ekpoma, Uromi, Auchi, Igarra, Abudu and others is yielding positive results.
“Worthy to note also is the rigged determination of the command to dismantle and sanitise the two notorious drug areas in Benin City – Ihama Road and Country Home.
“Both petty dealers and users have been consistently arrested and drugs seized.
“Two drug barons out of the four under watchlist that distribute drugs to these notorious locations have been arrested and are currently facing trial,” he said.
The commander said the command also seized a total of 1,676.99 Kilogrammes of illicit drugs and 3,558 bottles of Codeine-based syrup, a substance that is usually abused.
He said that Cannabis farms, measuring a total of 18.5 hectares, and approximately 46.251 kilogrammes of the substance were destroyed in the state within the period.
He, however, recounted that the command rehabilitated and counselled 154 suspected drug addicts, eight of which were indoor clients.
Notwithstanding the success story, the NDLEA commander said the agency lacked adequate operational vehicles in the state.
He also hoped to see improved volunteering of credible information to aid an intelligence-led policing of the state.
He described the 2024 theme, “Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention”, as apt.
The agency, he said, was already investing in prevention by mounting a serious war against drugs.
Such steps, he said, include supply reduction via arrest and prosecution, and demand reduction through counselling and rehabilitation of victims.
In his address, Edo Commissioner for Health, Dr Samuel Alli, called for renewed commitment and collaboration amongst security agencies to combat the menace.
The commissioner also stressed the need to address the underlying issues such as poverty and ignorance that usually lead the youth to indulge in illicit affairs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner was represented by Dr Adesuwa Urhoghide-Edigin, Director, Regulation & Monitoring in the ministry.
NAN reports that the event featured lectures and plays by the NDLEA drama group and members of the National Youth Service Corps. (NAN)
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