By Correspondent in Lokoja.
(C) People’s gassette.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kogi State has dealt a major blow to drug trafficking syndicates, arresting 129 suspected drug dealers and seizing over 282 kilograms of hard drugs in the first half of 2025.
The State Commander of the NDLEA, Umar Mustapha Yahuza, disclosed this on Tuesday in command’s headquarters Lokoja during a press briefing to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to the commander, the seized substances include cannabis sativa, cocaine, tramadol, opioids, and other psychotropic drugs.
He described the arrests and seizures as part of intensified efforts to curb the supply and abuse of illicit substances in the state.
“These dangerous drugs were destined for our youths in Kogi and other parts of the country. One can only imagine the level of devastation if these substances had made their way into communities,” he said.
He further disclosed that between January and June 2025, the agency secured 35 convictions at the Federal High Court in Lokoja, with several other cases still pending trial.
The commander revealed that the agency’s Drug Demand Reduction Unit has launched statewide awareness campaigns targeting schools, motor parks, religious institutions, and corporate organizations to tackle drug demand.
According to him,as part of its rehabilitation efforts, the NDLEA provided brief counseling for 106 drug-dependent individuals arrested during raids, adding that 40 persons referred by their families received comprehensive rehabilitation services and have since been reintegrated into society.
“Our focus is not only to cut off the supply chain but also to reduce the demand through prevention, counseling, and reintegration,” the commander noted.
He commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his consistent support in combating drug abuse and trafficking in the state and praised the partnership with the Ohunene Empowerment Initiative, founded by the First Lady of Kogi State, which has actively supported sensitization campaigns across the state.
He said that in the past week alone, joint sensitization efforts have been carried out in Lokoja, Okene, Kabba, and Anyigba, reflecting the state’s renewed commitment to addressing the drug menace.
Our correspondent reports that 2025 campaign theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” underscores the agency’s strategic approach, combining aggressive enforcement with grassroots advocacy and public education.
Yahuza reiterated NDLEA’s dual-track strategy which centres on supply reduction through arrests and seizures, and demand reduction through education, counseling, and rehabilitation.
“We are already seeing positive results with this combined approach,” the commander said, urging residents to continue collaborating with law enforcement to rid Kogi State of drugs.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
