Over 145 suspected drug traffickers have been arrested in Rivers State from January till date, with over 722 kilograms of illicit drugs recovered.
The Rivers State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) which disclosed this in Port Harcourt at the weekend, said cocaine, heroin, cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, topped other psychotropic substances.
The commander of the command, Ahmed Mamuda, said he was determined to ward off traffickers from the state with active support of the Rivers State government.
Speaking to stakeholders mostly youths and students at the Rivers State University (RSU) after a walk around the city to sensitise on the danger of drug abuse & illicit trafficking, the commander spoke on: “Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crisis”.
Mamuda said drug abuse has emerged as the biggest threat to the next generation, saying that society or a nation can easily be wiped out by drugs.
He said drug is behind violence and insecurity that seem to take over Nigeria at the moment, saying citizens must rise up to defend itself by joining the war against drug abuse, which he aid knows no age or religion.
He said the NDLEA as the statutory body concerned with the eradication of drug abuse and illicit trafficking has taken the bull by the horn and is poised to root out the agents of death in our society.
“Here in Rivers State, the command has been working round the clock to make the state a no-go area for drug traffickers.
Permit me to inform you that from January 2022 to date, our operational efforts have resulted in the arrest of over 145 drug suspects (26 females and 119 males), with a seizure of 722.23kg of various illicit drugs, mainly cocaine, heroin, cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, and other psychotropic substances.
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The command has also secured the conviction of 58 drug suspects to various jail terms within this period while 60 cases are still pending at the federal high court, Port Harcourt.
“This year, the emphasis is on those already caught in the unfortunate web of drug addiction, hence the theme: “Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crising”. Emphasis is on addressing transnational challenges stemming from situations of crisis,
“We continue to advocate protecting the rights to health for the most vulnerable including children and youth, people using drugs, people with drug use disorder, and people who need access to controlled medicines. So, do your part.”
He said the command besides arresting and prosecuting drugs dealers also offers counseling and rehabilitation services to those that have fallen victim to drugs and cannot seem to find a way out.
“The Drugs Demand Reduction unit of the Rivers State Command has admitted 27 drug dependent (clients) since January 2022, while a total of 21 have been counseled, rehabilitated, and reintegrated into society. There are currently 28 drug-dependent clients in our facility undergoing this process.”
