21 Drug Dealers Jailed, 71 Others Arrested In Niger

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday said it has secured the conviction of 21 drug dealers and arrested 71 others in Niger State.

The agency also disclosed that the 71 drug traffickers were arrested with 2,022.368kg of various illicit drugs and 2.4437 litres of liquid drugs between January and now.

The Commander NDLEA in the state, Haruna kwetishe disclosed this at the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

“It is marked to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse”, he said.

Kwetishe said the theme “addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises” gave prominence to the recent global experience with COVID-19 and the prevailing circumstances around the world.

According to him, this year’s theme for the UN Day has beamed the light on an area of the drug problem that had until recent years been on the backburner of drug discourse.

“For us at the agency, we are abreast of time and trends as shown by the priority accorded treatment and care.

“Simultaneously, we have continued to shut the tap of illicit flow of drugs with the arrest of over 71 offenders with 2,022.368 kg of various assorted drugs and 2.4435 litres of liquid drugs in the last six months.

“We have since convicted 21 drug dealers at the Federal High Court, Minna while investigation is ongoing on the remaining arrested victims,” he said.

He explained that the Drug Demand Reduction Department had been galvanised and working non-stop to ensure that the health aspect of the drug abuse got adequate attention.

Kwetishe explained that the state had witnessed a variety of challenges ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, youth restiveness and unwarranted killing which were fueled by drugs and substance abuse.

He said these social vices led to the displacement of persons, psychological or mental trauma of men and women, hence creating multiple internal displaced persons in camps.

“We have intensified campaigns by means of sensitization tag: War Against Drug Abuse ( WADA) to educate youths on the effect and consequences of drug abuse in all public schools.

“We are partnering with the state’s Ministry of Education to ensure that drug-free clubs are launched in every secondary and primary school because we believe in catching them young,” he said.