The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully confiscated approximately 3,988.74 kilograms of assorted drugs valued at N80 million, News About Nigeria gathered.
This significant operation was carried out over a specific period in the FCT, Abuja.
The FCT Commander of Narcotics, Kabir Tsakuwa, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the capital city on Monday.
The operation was not only limited to drug seizures but also led to the apprehension of 134 individuals suspected of drug trafficking, peddling, and abuse.
The confiscated drugs encompassed a range of substances, including cannabis Sativa, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Tramadol, Rohypnol, and Diazepam. Commander Tsakuwa emphasised that the most prominent drug seized by NDLEA operatives was cannabis Sativa, and several suspects were subsequently prosecuted and convicted during the operation.
To provide a breakdown of the drug seizures, he revealed that the amount of cannabis Sativa intercepted was a substantial 3,861.789 kilograms.
Cocaine, on the other hand, accounted for a much smaller quantity at 0.038 kilograms.
Other drugs included 13.63 kilograms of Diazepam, 105.136 kilograms of Tramadol, 3.024 kilograms of Methamphetamine, and 0.009 kilograms of Rohypnol, along with 1.070 kilograms of Pentazocine.
The total street value of the seized drugs within this period was calculated at approximately N80 million, a substantial amount reflecting the magnitude of the operation’s success.
Commander Tsakuwa reported that 104 suspects were prosecuted, with 27 of them convicted.
In his remarks regarding the command’s ongoing efforts to curb drug use and trafficking in the FCT, Tsakuwa emphasised a balanced approach to drug control strategies.
This approach encompassed both drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction, two components that mutually complement each other.
He said, “Under the preventive strategy, we have a sustainable intensive sensitisation and public enlightenment programme using the platform of “War Against Drug Abuse.”
Tsakuwa said that WADA was a social advocacy campaign designed to get every Nigerian involved in the task of ridding the country of illicit substances.
”We organised programmes in schools, corporate organisations, religious places of worship (Mosques and Churches), etc. to ensure involvement of all stakeholders. We collaborate with quite a number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to carry out sensitisation.
“We also provide support systems for drug-dependent individuals through counselling at our rehabilitation centre, which is manned by well-learned counselling experts.
“Clients are counselled for a period of three, six and 12 months depending on the level of addiction of the individual.
“Under Supply reduction, we embark on the arrest of drug offenders, investigation and prosecution,” he said.
