The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nasarawa State has destroyed 11,668.94kg of illicit drugs valued at N1.6 billion naira.
The drugs comprise 8,632.817kg of cannabis sativa, and 3,0636.119kg psychotropic substances, mainly tramadol and cough syrup with codeine, which were seized from suspects.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Muhammad Abdallah, disclosed this during the public destruction of about 12 tonnes of narcotics and psychotropic substances in Lafia, the state capital.
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Abdallah, who was represented by the Assistant Commander General and Director, Technical Services, Suleiman Ningi, said: “We approach this exercise with all solemnity, because it has to do with the sanctity of human lives.
“Until exhibits are destroyed, they still stand to haunt public health and safety, and at the end of this exercise, we would have completely eliminated 11,668.946 kilograms of various confiscated drugs in the state.
“These are made up of 8,632.817 kilograms of cannabis sativa and 3,0636.119 kilograms of psychotropic substances, mainly tramadol and cough syrup with codeine.”
According to him, investigations had confirmed a high consumption pattern of drugs in north-central Nigeria, affirming that a high prevalence of drug use in the state.
He said this had become of one of the biggest disturbing health-related problems among the youth.
He however, implored stakeholders in the drug control chain to foster a more responsive synergy and maintain a stronger foothold in their onslaught against nefarious drug merchants.
The NDLEA boss called for closer collaboration with sister security agencies in the state, noting that drug control was a shared responsibility.
Earlier, the state Commander of the NDLEA, Justice Arinze, explained that the exhibits being destroyed were seized from drug dealers, who were prosecuted at the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia.
