The Adamawa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse, revealing the arrest of 58 suspects and the seizure of more than 570 kilograms of illicit substances in the month of September.
Speaking to journalists in Yola, the State Commander, Barrister Aliyu Abubakar, said the operations carried out across the state also led to the destruction of large cannabis farms and the rehabilitation of dozens of drug-dependent individuals.
According to the commander, the suspects include 56 men and 2 women, apprehended in various parts of the state. The total drugs seized include 366.8kg of cannabis sativa and 209.8kg of psychotropic substances,while seven hectare plantation trees of cannabis were destroyed.
One of the most significant interceptions, our correspondent learnt, occurred in Lamurde local government area, where NDLEA operatives impounded a Honda Pilot SUV, bearing the registration number GUY 12AA (Adamawa). The vehicle, loaded with over 500 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa was reportedly en route from Akure, Ondo state to Mubi in Adamawa.
Two siblings, said to be notorious for their involvement in cannabis trafficking, were arrested during the operation. A subsequent search of their residence in Mubi led to the discovery of an additional 49 blocks of cannabis
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In a separate raid under “Operation Farauta”, NDLEA operatives, working alongside troops from the Nigerian Army and members of the local community, stormed Mijilu village in Mubi North LGA. The team seized 131kg of psychotropic substances and impounded a Toyota Sienna used in transporting the drugs. A 6-hectare cannabis farm was also uncovered and destroyed, with five suspects taken into custody.
As part of its drug demand reduction strategy, the NDLEA said it had rehabilitated and counseled 79 drug-dependent individuals between the ages of 18 and 43 in September. The agency also carried out 24 drug integrity tests targeting employees and students in various institutions to promote a drug-free environment.
Commander Abubakar commended the continued collaboration with sister security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army, in dismantling drug networks across the state. He stressed that the War Against Drug Abuse must be sustained through intelligence driven and community supported operations.
He called on the public to remain vigilant and support the agency by reporting drug-related activities, assuring that all information received would be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
