,,,,,Governor Ododo expresses commitment to eliminate illicit drugs for the state.
Maryam Abubakar Gulma in Lokoja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has publicly destroyed 25 tons of illicit drugs and narcotics worth billions of naira in Lokoja on Wednesday.
At the event, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, reaffirmed his commitment to eliminating illicit drugs from the state during the drug destruction exercise.
Represented by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Duro Omadara (RTD), Ododo pledged to eradicate drug cultivation in the state. He highlighted that four Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the eastern part of Kogi and two in the western part are known to cultivate cannabis.
He called on the NDLEA to identify and destroy cannabis farmlands in these six LGAs. Ododo emphasized that the strategic location of Kogi, a major transit point, makes it a significant concern in the war against drug trafficking, as many intercepted drugs pass through the state. These drugs were seized within just six months.
To support NDLEA efforts, the state government, through the Security Trust Fund, has provided logistical support, including the refurbishment of four NDLEA vehicles and the donation of a new one.
Ododo said that “Kogi must not be used as a drug trafficking passage,” and called on NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Muhammed Buba Marwa (RTD), to deploy additional operatives to cover all critical areas, as most of the intercepted drugs were on their way from the southern part of the country to the northern region.
Brig. Gen. Marwa, represented by Alhaji Suleiman Ahmad Ningi, Deputy Comptroller General of Narcotics and Director of Operations and General Investigations at NDLEA, stated that the destruction of 25 tons of drugs underscores Kogi’s critical role as a transit state for narcotics.
He emphasized the security threat posed by such large quantities of drugs, noting that 14.3 million Nigerians, aged 15-64 years, are engaged in drug abuse, with cannabis being the most widely abused substance.
He highlighted the health and security risks associated with these statistics.
The breakdown of the drugs destroyed included:
Cannabis Sativa: 20,000.316 kg
Tramadol: 476.864 kg
Rohypnol: 13.046 kg
Diazepam: 151.319 kg
Exol-5: 648.683 kg
Pentazocine injection: 361.650 kg
Cocaine: 1.888 kg
Codeine-based syrup: 2,393.944 kg
MDMA: 0.305 kg
Diazepam injection: 1.100 kg
Tramadol injection: 2.800 kg
Methamphetamine: 34.208 kg
Heroin: 0.215 kg
Morphine: 1.700 kg
Ketamine: 3.600 kg
Cocodamol: 1.300 kg
Midazolam: 3.700 kg
Akuskura (NPS): 1,132.600 kg
This brought the total to 25,229.238 kg of illicit drugs. Marwa reiterated the need for a multi-sectoral approach to address the problem, stressing that Kogi State’s arable farmlands offer an opportunity to engage youth in meaningful agricultural activities.
He further called on Governor Ododo to assist the NDLEA in establishing a rehabilitation center for drug abusers.
The State Commander of NDLEA Kogi, U.M. Yahuza, expressed his satisfaction with the Governor’s commitment to the fight against drug abuse, highlighting the appointment of five aides in the governor’s administration to address this issue. Yahuza affirmed that the NDLEA continues to diligently carry out its responsibilities, including the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of drug offenders. Since 2024, the Kogi State Command has secured the forfeiture of over 24 vehicles involved in drug-related crimes.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
