NO fewer than 351 suspected drug traffickers were arrested by the Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 2021, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports.
Mr Buba Wakawa, State Commander of the agency disclosed this in an interview with NAN, Benin, on Thursday.
Wakawa explained that the figure comprises of 248 males and 103 females.
He also disclosed that total weight of drugs seized within the period was 26,459.078 Kilo Grammes (approximately 26.5 tonnes).
He added that 16,344 bags of Cannabis Sativa found in a cluster of four warehouses in Uzebba in Owan West Local Government Area in the state weighing 233,778 Kilo Grammes, was burnt/destroyed at the scene of operation.
He further disclosed that nine vehicles and nine motorcycles used in conveying exhibits were also seized, as well as four guns comprising two pump actions, one double barrel and one cut-to-size guns used in guarding drug warehouses.
“25 suspected cannabis sativa farms measuring 49.589964 hectares were traced and destroyed.
“In the area of prosecution, activities were hampered by incessant strikes by the Federal High Courts, however, the command secured 23 convictions while 27 cases are still pending before the Fed High Court Benin”, the commander said.
Wakawa further disclosed that 180 drug dependent persons were successfully counselled and re- integrated into the society by the command within the period under review.
He stressed that stamping out drug abuse and trafficking in the state was non negotiable and a task that must be achieved.
“We will vigorously pursue the mandate given by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig General Mohamed Buba Marwa(Rtd), OFR to the latter.
“We solicit the support of well meaning citizens and call on the general public to volunteer information that will assist us in ridding the state of bad eggs”, he said.
