National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Adamawa State command has kick started 7-day activities to mark the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking which is slated on 26 June 2023.
Marking the commencement of activities at a press briefing, the Adamawa State commander of NDLEA, Femi Samson Agboalu said in the last one year the command has recorded robust achievements by arresting drug offenders comprising 491males and 10 females which will be accumulated to 501and has seized 1,164.700kg.
“Adamawa State will join the rest of the world in commemorating the world drug day with a week long activities starting with this press briefing today being 20th June 2023; Saturday 24th will be for advocacy road walk against drugs; Friday for Jumaat prayers, Monday 26th for guest lecture, and Sunday 25 for Thanksgiving.
The theme for this year’s people first, stop stigma and discrimination strengthen prevention.This theme is a clarion call in addressing transnational drugs challenges arising from situations of crisis and protecting the right to health for the most vulnerable, including children and youth; people using drugs, people with drug use disorders; and people who need access to controlled medicines,” he said.
The Adamawa state Command National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency,NDLEA has prosecuted 501 drugs abuse offenders including 491 female and 10 male .
State Commander of the Agency,Femi Samson Agboala made the disclosure in Yola Tuesday at the 2023 International Day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking ceremony stressing that the command had seized 1,164.700 Kg of prohibited drugs from offenders in June 2022 to May 2023 .
Agboala said the seized substances includes;Methamphetamine,cocaine and psychotropic,Cannabis sativa,pentazocine injections among others.
“In the course of prosecuting drug offenders, the sum of N781,005.00 being proceeds of drug business were forfeited to government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).
“The Agency also secured forfeiture of the following assets in the period under review (a) A black Corolla car,A yellow lady/press club motorcycle,2 bedroom property located at Ngurore in Yola South local government Area following the concealment of 250 blocks of compressed Cannabis Sativa weighing 226 kg in the property”.Agboala stated.
He further stressed that the Agency is collaborating with the state government have established the state Drug control committee tagged “Adamawa state Drug Control Centre” for intervention and advisory roles to government on drug control of illicit drug abuse and trafficking.
In response,Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri said his government is in support of any move to safeguard the menace of drug abuse and trafficking.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta advised parents and guardians to be watchful of the affairs and company their wards keep with a view to checkmate drug abuse among younger generation.
In her remark ,the deputy governor also appealed to religious leaders and traditional rulers to make it a duty in preaching the gospel of saying no to drug abuse.
