NDLEA kicks off the activities of the year 2022 UN international day against Drug abuse and illicit Drug trafficking at the state headquarters Enugu
The Enugu State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Thursday the 23th of June 2022 marked the beginning of the 2022 UN international day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking at the State Command headquarters Enugu.
The Enugu State Commander, Commander Anietie Bassey Idim, while briefing journalists at the State headquarters said the activities which started with a live program at the Enugu State broadcasting service on Tuesday the 21st of June 2022, will have its 2022 grand finale on world Drug day at Enugu State Judiciary court auditorium Hall, opposite WAEC office, independence layout Enugu.
In his address, the State Commander said that since January, last year, when Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (RTD) OFR assumed office as the Czar of the country’s Anti-Drug Agency, NDLEA, the efforts toward curbing illicit Drug activities and abuse of substance has taken a new dimension.
He added that the launch of WADA in June 2021 by His Excellency President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR, lead to this success, saying that the President during the launch mandated the CCEO, NDLEA, to get rid of illicit drugs and curb substance abuse in the country.
He said “Here in Enugu, quite a number of distinguished individuals have been decorated as WADA ambassadors, taking into cognizance their contributions towards the eradication of illicit Drug supply and substance abuse reduction ”
The State Commander also narrated that between July 1st 2021 and May 31st 2022, the NDLEA Enugu State Command has achieved successes in fighting drug abuse and its trafficking. These include the arrest of 130 suspects (124 males and 6 females) for drug-related offences, seizure of Cannabis Sativa =845, 839 kilograms, methamphetamine (Mkpurummiri) = 957.58grams, Psychotropic substances = 5.469 kilograms, and cocaine 90.2grams.
He added that they have recorded about 97 convictions and many other suspects awaiting trials. He said that the successes were achieved through the commitment of the federal government’s coordinated efforts of his Excellency Brig. Gen. Buwa Marwa ( RTD.) OFR in the nation’s drug war and relentless effort and commitment of officers and men of the Command, as well as meaningful contributions from other stakeholders.
He then thanked and commend His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the executive governor of Enugu State for his effort towards the eradication of illicit drug supply and substance abuse prevention in Enugu State, calling him a man of honour and WADA ambassador worthy of celebration.
The State Commander later listed some challenges facing the agency in the war against trafficking and abuse of drugs, which include: paucity of funds, inadequate logistics, and lack of standard rehabilitation centres, among others.
He said, ” NDLEA has joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s World anti-drug day commemoration with the theme, Addressing Drug challenges in health and Humanitarian crises”.
