By Darlington DAVID
In line with the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) for 2015 to 2019, a roadmap that aims at strengthening responses to drugs in order to contribute to the enhanced health, security and well-being of all Nigerians, the Akwa Ibom State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said it has arrested 121 drug suspects, convicted seven of them and seized 226.04 kg of illicit substances between January and August 2017.
In an interaction with Ibom Telegraph on Tuesday, the State Commander, Mr. Shedow Gaura, said the suspects included 107 males and 14 females.
According to a breakdown presented by the State Commander, substances seized included 210.62kg of Cannabis Sativa; 0.029kg of Cocaine; 0.16kg of Heroin, and 15.23kg of Psychotropic Substances.
Mr. Gaura said the challenge before the agency “is in the situations where most of the drug peddlers find it difficult to stop the illegal business due to its assumed lucrative nature.”
The Akwa Ibom State Commander assured that the Command under his watch would not relent in its efforts in the drug war to ensure the society was rid of drug related crimes, adding that the agency has drawn up a model in counseling drug peddlers and prevent them from going into crime through abuses.
He, however, said the Command will not relent in its routine enlightenment and sensitization programmes in schools and other institutions across the state, explaining that some of the victims of illegal drug trafficking and abuse were lured out of their ignorance.
