NDLEA Convicts 61 In A’Ibom Over Illicit Drugs Consumption

No fewer than 61 individuals have been convicted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Akwa Ibom State Command, over consumption of illicit substances.

The agency said the convicts were parts of 300 arrested suspects between July 2023 and May 2024.

The State Commander of NDLEA, Mrs Obot Bassey, in the disclosure yesterday in Uyo, also said the agency seized 190.419 kg of hard drugs within one year.

Addressing stakeholders ahead of June 26 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the State NDLEA boss further revealed that the Command treated and rehabilitated 24 male drug-dependent persons and carried out drug abuse prevention education at 82 locations across the state.

She said, “From July 2023 to May 2024, the State Command of NDLEA recorded a total arrest of 300 suspects made up of 249 males and 51 females, and seized drugs weighing 190.419kg.

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“Drug negatively impact people’s health and their well-being in the society. Deadly drugs such as Fentanyl are permeating the illicit drug markets and causing havoc and ever ever-greater number of deaths.

“Illicit drug business is breaking formidable bounds, feeding crimes and violence in our communities and the nation.”

On preventive measures against the abuse of alcohol, Mrs Obot urged the government to take further steps to increase the price of the commodity which will lead to a reduction of the consumption of alcohol.

She called on the government, philanthropists, individuals, and institutions to invest massively in drug use preventive measures.

This year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking themed, ‘The Evidence Is Clear: Invest In Prevention’ will feature an awareness campaign on dangers of drugs through Anti-Drug Walk across the state.