NDLEA Arrests 82 Drug Suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said it has arrested 82 suspected drug traffickers in the first quarter of 2011 in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

The NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said in a statement that a total of 843.002kg of illicit drugs were also seized from the drug suspects within the period.

Lagos State NDLEA Commander, Alhaji Aliyu Sule, explained that Indian hemp accounted for over 99 percent of total drugs seized in the past three months with 843.002kg weight.

“Between January and March 2011, the Lagos State Command of the NDLEA arrested 82 suspected drug dealers with 843.002kg. Cannabis represents over 99 percent of the drugs seized with 840.324kg. Cocaine is 2.65g while heroin is 27.6g,” Aliyu stated.

He said that the agency’s efforts are better appreciated in the light of the risk involved in drug war.

“On daily basis, my men engage drug dealers in real combat as they attempt to resist arrest. When they are here they look quiet but in their enclaves, you need to see how violent they can be. We have successfully dislodged drug dealers at Ejibgo NNPC area which is a major drug flashpoint as most of the suspects were nabbed there in repeated operations,” Aliyu stated.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, has said that no efforts shall be spared in ridding the country of narcotics during the election period.

“Drugs can induce violence and cause havoc. We shall, therefore, be on the alert in taking illicit drugs out of circulation. More drug flashpoints in the country will come under heavy attack by the agency as anything capable of inducing violence this election period will not be spared,” Giade said.

—Simon Ateba