Writing By Ali Muhammad Rabiu ; Editing By Godwin Duru
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara state command, has intercepted 2.318 tons of cannabis, with a street value estimated in billions of naira, in one week.
Speaking with Newsmen while showcasing the seizures to stakeholders in Ilorin , the NDLEA state Commander, Fatima Popoola, said that the four suspects arrested in connection with the seizures concealed the drugs among sacks of saw dust.
She said that the drugs were intercepted during various operations carried out across the state, particularly along Offa and Omu Aran axis of the state command at about 3:00 am and 5:30 am.
The commander said this is one of the biggest seizures the command has made in a single week in recent time and the street value of what was seized runs into at least billions of Naira.
According to her, one of the suspects, a driver, was caught with 1.2 tons of cannabis, another suspect with 300kg of cannabis, while the remaining 720kg seizure was linked to two suspects.
She said the drugs were reportedly concealed in Canter trucks and disguised as ordinary goods with sacks of saw dust to deceive NDLEA officials at check points.
The NDLEA boss maintained that the security challenge in places like Kaiama, Chikanda, Patigi, Edu, and Omu -Aran communities are all drug-related.
In his remarks, Kwara State Governor
AbdulRahman AbdulRaza represented by his Counsellor and Adviser, Alhaji Sa’adu Salahudeen, said that the arrests and seizures reflect commitment of the state government to eliminate illicit drugs trafficking.
He said that the state has worked closely with the NDLEA by mobilising traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society groups, and religious institutions to create awareness on the dangers of drug abuse.
Governor AbdulRazaq urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that the fight against drug trafficking requires everyone’s support.
COV/ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU
