From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi NDLEA Commandant, Umar Mustapha Yahuza (Middle) Briefing Journalists
The Commandant of the Kogi State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Umar Mustapha Yahuza has declared that preventive measures against the monster called drug abuse is the only lasting solution to end the trend.
The Commandant also affirmed that the surest way to achieve the preventive measures is through aggressive sensitisation of citizens on the negative effects of illicit drugs.
Yahuza at a press conference held in Lokoja on Monday, disclosed that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kogi State Command, seized over 1.49 tonnes of illicit drugs within January to June , 2024 with 149 suspects arrested by the agency.
He said that a week long United Nations Day Against drug Abuse and trafficking organized by the agency in collaboration with Kogi State Government is targeted at ensuring adequate sensitization of citizens of the state on the menace associated with illicit drugs.
He stated that drug situation in Nigeria and indeed Kogi State is disturbing lamenting that the ugly situation has implication on security, economic and the general wellbeing of the citizens.
According to him, series of arrest and seizures of assorted drugs such as codeine, Methamphetamine, Diazepam, tramadol, Cannabis sativa, Pentazocine among others have been made within the spate of six months in Kogi State.
He however disclosed that out of the 149 suspects arrested the command has convicted 29 accused persons while other cases are
still pending at Federal High Court, Lokoja.
While expressing concern over the high rate of drug consumption and trafficking, the Commandant stated that statistics and empirical facts from the Agency’s operations indicated clearly that drug problem is mutating into a colossal social problem and has become an issue linked beyond doubt to escalation of insecurity and its attendant effects on peace and economy across the country.
Yahuza who attributed the effects of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, rape
and other violent crimes against humanity in the country to the use of illicit drugs, called on government, corporate organizations and spirited individuals to collaborate with NDLEA to eradicate the menace of drugs in the society.
“We know that drugs are mostly the catalyst for these vices, anywhere there is drug,
there is crime and vice versa.
“Kogi State being a microcosm of Nigeria, and as a federating unit cannot stand alone in the face of this ominous threat of drug abuse and trafficking.
