16th May, 2012
The Niger state Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said that it arrested 47 persons within the first quarter of 2012 for drug-related offences.
The state commander of the agency, Alhaji Abdulahi Abdul, told newsmen in Minna, the capital of the state, that the command also seized a total of 122.585 kg of various illicit drugs during the period.
Abdul said that a breakdown of the arrest and seizure showed that in the month of February, the agency arrested 19 suspects and a total of 60.78kg of illicit drugs. “We arrested a total of 47 male suspects with a total of 122.585 kg of various illicit substances within the first quarter of the year.’’
The commander said that seven suspects were arrested in January 2012 with 9.95 kg of the illicit drug substances.
In March and April, 10 and 11 suspects were arrested with 49.55 kg and 22.3 kg of illicit drugs substances respectively.
He said that of the total number of suspects, 22 had been convicted at the Federal High Court, Minna and were serving various jail terms while 15 suspected drug addicts were rehabilitated within the period under review.
Abdul commended the state government for its support to the agency and also solicited for more operational vehicles.
He also acknowledged the support of other sister security organisations in the state.
The commander urged members of the public to cooperate with the command in fighting the drug menace in the state.