Narcotic drugs mainly cannabis valued at N133million have been burnt by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, and the Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Honourable Steven Tayo Aremu, led other invited guests in setting ablaze the 13,372.209kg of drugs.
The NDLEA boss who expressed satisfaction with the destruction exercise said that cannabis is the most abused drug in the country.
“We have a total of 13,372.209kg of drugs for destruction this morning. Cannabis Sativa otherwise called hemp constitutes the largest chunk of the drugs with 13, 319.829kg. Diazepam is 3.40kg, Rohypnol is 180grms, Tramadol is 850grms and Volatile Solvent 47.950kg. These statistics attest to the fact that cannabis is the most abused drug in the country. I am satisfied with this public burning of drug exhibits aimed at promoting national peace and security” Giade stated.
Aremu, who represented Governor Idris Wada, pledged government’s support for drug control programmes in the state. According to him, “Kogi State government is happy that these dangerous drugs seized by the NDLEA are being destroyed. This will promote peace in the country and we are prepared to assist the NDLEA in the State to achieve greater results. Working to eradicate illicit drugs from the society is in the interest of all”.
Kogi State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Idris Bello, in his welcome address said that 576 suspected drug traffickers have been apprehended in the State since January 2014.
“We have arrested 576 suspected drug traffickers since January 2014. Out of this number, 89 have been convicted while other cases are still pending. The command also provided counselling services for 191 persons with drug abuse problem in the state,” Bello stated.
Kogi has been described as a crucial gateway between cannabis cultivating states in the South West and the Northern states. Some spectacular seizures of cannabis made were exhibited in pictures while vehicles with false compartment used in smuggling drugs were brought to the venue of the destruction.
