Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of
Kaduna has led other stakeholders to publicly burn forfeited drug exhibits
weighing 12,366kgs with an estimated street value of N133 million. Mr
Mitchel Ofoyeju, the spokesman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),
made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos. The statement said that
the destruction took place on Tuesday in Kufena, Zaria, Kaduna State. The
statement quoted El-Rufai as saying at the event that the security of lives and
property were the cardinal focus of his government. “Over 100 patrol
vehicles will soon be distributed to security agencies in the state to carry
out their duties,’’ it said.
According
to the statement, the governor commended the agency for the gains recorded by
Nigeria in the fight against drugs. It said the governor promised to
spearhead anti-drug advocacy, adding that El-Rufai attended the event with the
members of his executive council and heads of security agencies.
Vanguard report continues:
The
statement also quoted the Chairman of NDLEA, Mr Ahmadu Giade as saying that the
destruction was symbolic and in line with the agency’s Act. “The NDLEA Act
mandates us under section 3 sub-section 1 (i) to take measures for the early
destruction or disposal of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances which
have been seized, confiscated or forfeited.
“Public
destruction of drugs is therefore a continuous exercise in our quest to have a
drug-free and secured society and the world at large,’’ the statement
said. It said that Giade, who was represented by the Director of
Prosecution and Legal Services of the agency, Mr Sunday Joseph, gave the
breakdown of the drugs.
“We
have the permission of the court to publicly destroy a total of 12,366kgs of
narcotic drugs. “The breakdown of the drugs is as follows: Cannabis Sativa
also known as Indian hemp constitutes the bulk of the drugs with
12,351.938kgs. “Psychotropic substances are 13.443kgs, Cocaine 63g and
Heroin 57g,’’ the statement quoted him as saying.
It
said that the NDLEA boss noted that 27 million people were suffering from drug
use disorders or drug dependence according to World Drug Report 2015. “The
report adds that a total of 246 million people or 1 out of 20 people between
the ages of 15 and 64 years used an illicit drug in 2013
“Nigeria
used to be a transit point because of the activities of drug cartels that
import drugs from drug producing countries to Nigeria before smuggling same to
Europe, Asia and America. “However, the situation is changing as Nigeria
is gradually becoming a producer country.
“Apart
from the cultivation of cannabis, the agency has discovered 10 clandestine
laboratories used for the production of methamphetamine in the past five
years,’’ it said. It noted that while calling for more support from the
public, Giade promised to intensify investigation of suspected drug dealers to
bring them to book and ensure the forfeiture of their ill-gotten wealth.
“Many
students have dropped out of school on account of drugs, while others are in
prison custody for trafficking narcotics. “Drug addiction has confined
many addicts to treatment centres and psychiatric hospitals over mentally
induced ailments, while some have died prematurely.
“The
sad stories of children who murdered their parents, siblings and neighbours
under the influence of drugs are timely warnings,’’ the statement said. It
said the NDLEA commander in Kaduna State, Mr Samuel Asinge, noted that the
command was recording success in the campaign against substance abuse.
“The
command has drastically reduced cases of substance abuse particularly abuse of
cannabis and cough syrup with codeine which used to be prevalent in the
state. “We shall continue to work very hard in reducing drug trafficking
and abuse to the barest minimum,’’ it quoted Asinge as saying.
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