The Delta State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says over 600 drug-dependent persons have been counselled in the past year, including 11 victims who were admitted and reintegrated into society after rehabilitation.
The State Commander of Narcotics, Abubakar Wada, made this known at Ogwashi-Uku, while briefing journalists on achievements of the NDLEA from June 2023, as part of activities to mark the 2024 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse. Wada said the NDLEA has seized 2,500 kilograms, and 2,100 litres of illicit substances as part of drug supply reduction efforts in the state.
He observed that the Command had secured 201 convictions, with 229 cases pending at the three High Courts in the state. Commander Wada said that the NDLEA has succeeded in arresting over 2,500 kilograms of assorted drugs and also made a seizure of over 2,000 litres of codeine syrup.” On drug demand reduction strategy, the Commander noted that 455 males and 175 females were counselled within the period, including three persons who are undergoing treatment at the Command’s Rehabilitation Center.
“Based on the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, some defendants will ask for plea bargain. We have also been applying that provision to some of our cases.” He added that the agency has established War Against Drug Abuse Clubs in 68 secondary schools, in the three senatorial districts of the state, as part of sensitization efforts on the dangers of drug abuse.
Meanwhile, a Deputy State Commander of Narcotics, Peter Odey, called for more funding for the operations of the force, in terms of logistics to enable the NDLEA to intensify its effort to reduce drug supply and demand to the minimum.
