The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has arrested no fewer than 5,000 suspects and secured 500 convictions between January and May 2021 for drug abuse and trafficking.
The agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa, made this known on Saturday in Ibadan at a book launch authored by Retired Brig.-Gen. Larinde Laoye.
Marwa said that 3,000 offenders had been charged to court, while 2,303 individuals were counselled and treated for drug-related problem within the months under review.
He said that more than two million kilogrammes of assorted drugs were seized and over N90 billion worth of drugs and cash recovered.
The NDLEA boss said that statistics of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking recorded by the agency in the first five months of the year calls for sober reflection.
“These statistics are alarming and are red flags about the need to safeguard the future of the young generation.
“This is to awaken your consciousness to the urgent need for every citizen of Nigeria to support the NDLEA in its efforts to save our country from the menace of abuse and trafficking of illicit substances.
“We must attach some urgency to the need to rid our society of the drug menace, that is why we are advocating a new social order where drug test becomes the norms for couples as part of the wedding rites,” he said.
Marwa said the agency was also advocating for drug tests for students that want to gain admission into tertiary institutions and for government employees as part of the employment process and periodic validation of their employment.
(NAN)
