NDLEA arrests 131, seizes 263 kg drugs in 12 months

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kwara yesterday said the agency arrested 131 suspects and seized 263.752 kg illicit drugs in 12 months.
The Commander of the agency in Kwara State, Ona Ogilegwu, made the disclosure in Ilorin, the state capital at a press conference to mark the 2018 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
The commander, who said that the suspects comprised 115 males and 16 females, added that 18 persons were convicted and committed to prison.
Ogilegwu noted that the drugs seized were 203.502 kg of cannabis sativa, 876 bottles of codeine and 60.25 kg of psychotropic substances.
He said the theme, “Listen First,’’ was to draw attention to the need to listen to children and youths in order to help them overcome drug-induced stress.
“Our routine is to cut the chain of supply of illicit drugs to have a change of attitude.
That is why we counsel and rehabilitate drugdependent persons, ” he said.
He added that 23 drugdependent persons were properly rehabilitated and reunited with their families while 70 who used drugs were counselled.
Chairperson of Drug Control Committee in the state, Risikat Lawal, said the body would commence visitation to schools to disseminate information to students on drug abuse. Lawal added that there would also be sensitisation campaign at Abidayo Clinic in Zango area of Ilorin to create awareness among mothers on the dangers of drug abuse.
(NAN)