Illicit drugs weighing 2.768 tonnes valued at over N2 billion had been destroyed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Akwa Ibom State Command.
This is as the state government lauded the anti-narcotic agency and pledged to support its efforts towards the attainment of zero case profile in drug-related offences in the state and Nigeria at large
Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Ekikere Umoh, disclosed this when his principal hosted the agency’s chairman, Brig. General Buba Marwa, (retd).
Drugs destroyed include cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin and other psychotropic substance, according to the statement.
Marwa who was represented by According to the agency’s Secretary, Barr. Shedrach Haruna, who represented Marwa at the visit to the Government House, Uyo the substances were seized between 2014 and September 2021.
Haruna said the destruction was in line with the agency’s Act which mandates it to take measures for the destruction of seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances., adding that the agency will not rest on its oars to rid the country of the menace of hard drugs.
The Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo praised the Agency under Buba Marwa, saying Marwa has positively changed the performance narrative of the agency nationwide.
Ekpo noted that the efforts of the NDLEA has resulted in the upsurge of drug seizures, arrest and convictions at critical drug corridors across the country, adding that the Akwa Ibom command made a recent arrest and seizure of 90 kilograms of substance suspected to be Amphetamine, and other seizures.
“This has obviously rubbed off on the Akwa Ibom State office, with the result that we have been able to more effectively contain the challenges of drug abuse and illicit trafficking”, he stated.
The Deputy Governor urged the Federal government to further empower the NDLEA with more funding to enable them to not only give support to state offices, but procure needed work tools for a revolution in the fight against unhealthy drug use.
“I call on Nigerians to team up with the government in the war against drug use and illicit trafficking. The negative implications of drug abuse are far-reaching, including adverse effects on the health of our people, avoidable road accidents and drug-related criminality”, Ekpo appealed.
