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File photo: NDLEA officials
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency recovered the sum of N280,389,068.08 from forfeited assets in August 2024, The PUNCH reports.
This is according to a report on the war on narcotics detailing the achievements of the agency in August.
The report tagged, ‘War on narcotics’ showed that the NDLEA achieved significant milestones in its operations last month.
The report revealed that “The agency made 1,821 arrests—1,640 males and 181 females—and seized 142,291.3kg of various drugs.
“NDLEA charged 415 suspects, securing 414 convictions and asset forfeitures, and destroyed 49.63 hectares of cannabis farms.
“In drug demand reduction, 949 individuals were treated and rehabilitated, and 338 public enlightenment activities were conducted.”
The NDLEA is a federal law enforcement agency established by Decree No. 48 of 29th December 1989.
The promulgation of the decree was primarily in response to the rising trend in the demand for and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances which adversely affected the international image of Nigerians and Nigeria in the 1980s.
The report noted that two major drug barons were apprehended.
“Notably, two major drug barons were apprehended: Alhaji Sulaiman Jimoh (alias Olowoidiogede, known as Temo) was arrested in Mushin, Lagos, and Alhaji Suleman Ganiu Aremu was detained for cocaine trafficking in Saudi Arabia.
“Additionally, N280,389,068.08 was recovered from forfeited assets, and a workshop was held to bolster the Alternative Development Programme,” it said.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Alternative Development programme aims at the elimination or prevention of the production of illicit crops through a methodology encompassing a broader conception of rural development aimed at improving the overall quality of life of the target population by addressing not only income but also education, health, infrastructure, and social services.
Recently, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the training and certification of officers of the Marine Command of the agency in basic diving, advanced open water diving, and full-face mask diving would discourage large shipments of cocaine to Nigeria.
He said the agency would continue to be steps ahead of drug cartels in skills and capability to ensure that they have no means to smuggle illicit drugs into Nigeria.
