Jan. 29, 2023

The Adamawa Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement agency (NDLEA) says it has secured the conviction of 174 drug offenders out of the 365 arrests made between January and December 2023.

Mr. Samson Agbolu, the State Commander of the agency, made this known while addressing newsmen in Yola on Monday.

He said the convicts had been sentenced to various jail terms across correctional centres in the state, adding the office would not relent in the fight against drug related offences.

According to him, 60 cases are pending at the Federal High Court in Yola, while proper and diligent prosecution of the remaining cases were being ensured.

He said only five female offenders were arrested within the period and that the agency, within the period, seized 1,845.070kg of illicit drugs and secured forfeiture of 3 vehicles used in conveyance of drugs.

The commander added that 42 drug addicts had been rehabilitated and reunited with their families and 66 sensitisation lectures against drug abuse were conducted in public places.

He said the command established NDLEA offices across the 21 local government areas of the state.

“The initiative was aimed at deploying Drug Intelligence Officers (DIOs) to collate drug intelligence for implementation,” he said.

He noted that within the period, N821,000 was forfeited at different drug sale points, saying the amount had since been remitted to the Federal Government.

Agbolu explained that the command recorded a decrease in the arrest ratio by 25 per cent in 2023, compared to 2022 when 457 suspects were arrested.

He said in terms of seizure, there was 33 per cent increase in 2023, compared to the 1,242.182kg in 2022.
(NAN)