NDLEA apprehends 366 traffickers, seizes 1,560kg of drugs in Enugu in 2024

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended no fewer than 366 suspected traffickers and seized 1,560.97kg (1.56 tonnes) of hard drugs within Enugu State in 2024.

The NDLEA said that among the 1,560.97kg (1.56 tonnes) of hard drugs seized included: cocaine, heroin, cannabis sativa (hemp) and methamphetamine otherwise locally known as Mkpurumiri among others.

The Commander of NDLEA Enugu State Command, Abel Wadahi, told newsmen on Friday in Enugu that those apprehended were 324 males and 42 females in the period under review.

 

Wadahi said that in 2024, a total of 39 male suspects were convicted at the Federal High Court, Enugu.

 

He added that 124 cases are still pending; and 118 cases filed at the Federal High Court, Enugu are at various stages of trial.

 

According to him, 11 vehicles and 24 motorcycles were finally forfeited in 2024; while four vehicles and two motorcycles were seized and have been charged to court for interim forfeiture.

“In the year 2024, NDLEA Enugu State Command have successfully counseled, treated and rehabilitated 335 individuals in our small rehabilitation facility, most of them through brief intervention.

 

“We look forward to doing more once we have the new rehabilitation centre we are anticipating,” he said.

 

The commander said that in 2024, the Command embarked on 109 sensitisation and awareness programmes targeting young people in and out of school, motor parks, worship centres, workplaces and communities.

 

He noted that the 109 sensitisation and awareness programmes reached out to a total of 47,651 people; with 23,643 males and 24,008 females within the state.

 

“This is in addition to the thousands of homes reached with our anti-substance abuse massages through our aggressive and impactful media campaign using various traditional and new media platforms,” he said.

 

Wadahi urged members of the public to show empathy for those undergoing treatment, which would help them scale the hurdle of their rehabilitation.

 

He said, “The NDLEA has invested resources in the prevention of abuse and trafficking of illicit substances, even as we are also not relenting in our effort to cut off supply channels and dismantle trafficking networks.

 

“After all, when you cut off drug supplies, you deny users availability and access to them, including insurgents, terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and sundry criminals who rely on drugs to foster their criminalities.”

 

The commander appreciated the Chairman of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retired), for his support in the outgone year; and above all, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State for his encouragement and response to the needs of the Command.

Biola Lawal

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