In 2022, the NDLEA detained 348 individuals in Akwa Ibom and seized 460.34kg of illegal substances. The state’s NDLEA Commander, Mrs. Obot Bassey, informed reporters in Uyo on Wednesday that there had been 302 male and 46 female arrests.
231.377kg of Indian hemp, 2.611kg of cocaine, 0.919kg of heroin, 0.032kg of meth, 92.803kg of amphetamine, and 133.196kg of other psychoactive substances were among the illegal drugs seized, she continued.
According to her, the command also managed to get 58 drug dealers and users convicted in 2022, rehabbed 15 people, and counseled 265 others.
According to Bassey, the command also burned 2.786 tonnes of seized drugs in the open in 2022.
“Of spectacular notes were arrests and seizure of 90kg Amphetamine with street value of N2.5 billion and 2.6kg of cocaine.
“The drugs would have done a lot of damage to families, communities and to the state if they had not been seized,’’ Bassey stressed.
Out of the 31 local government districts in Akwa Ibom, she claimed that Uyo Local Government Area has the highest rate of drug abuse.
Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area and Itu Local Government Area came in second and third, respectively.
According to Bassey, the NDLEA urgently needs operating vehicles, boats to monitor the waterways, and residential barracks for the safety of troops in order to successfully cover the state’s 31 local government units.
She made a plea to international organizations, philanthropists, and well-intentioned people to work with the NDLEA to minimize drug abuse and trafficking in the state.
“I am using this medium to tell Akwa Ibom people to look for substances that are not supposed to be consumed and keep the NDLEA posted on these substances.
“Residents should also report drug dealers and users to the NDLEA,’’ she said.
Fentanyl, a new narcotic that is 50–100 times more strong than morphine, heroin, and codeine, has recently entered the Nigerian market, according to Bassey. This has alarmed the NDLEA.
The commander issued a dire warning to drug pushers and dealers in Akwa Ibom, telling them to stop selling illegal substances or else.
NAN