The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) Akwa Ibom Command says it secured a total of 68 convictions and rehabilitated 12 cases in Akwa Ibom State in 2023.
The Akwa Ibom Commander of NDLEA, Mrs Obot Bassey, disclosed this during a press conference at the command’s headquarters in Uyo, the state capital, on Tuesday.
According to her, the command during the period arrested 195 suspects, comprising 159 males and 36 females, and seized drugs weighing 1,267.24 kg, worth millions of naira.
She added that the command during the period under review counselled about 278 cases, comprising 263 males and 15 females.
“For the year 2023 just ended, the Akwa Ibom Command recorded the following achievements: arresting 195 suspects, comprising 159 males and 36 females, and recording drug seizures totalling 1,267.244 kg.
“During the period under review, we secured 68 convictions, and all of them are serving jail terms in our custodial centres.
“Compared with the statistics of 2022, it is obvious that the command had a better achievement in 2023.
“With the seizure of 460.344kg of drugs in 2022 and 1,267.244 kg in 2023, there is a 175 per cent increase in the seizures recorded.
“The drug war is not an easy one as drug traffickers change their modus operandi daily to evade arrest; in the same vein, officers are on high alert and their toes, giving them close and marked pursuit.
“The implication of the prevalence of these hard drugs in Akwa Ibom State is the spike in criminal activities such as frequent cult clashes, youth unrest, daring armed robbery cases, kidnapping, militancy, and the like,” Bassey said.
Bassey said that Akwa Ibom is identified as mostly a consumer/trade state, with drug dealers striving to litter the streets with illicit drugs.
The commander said the NDLEA would continue to collaborate with sister agencies in the state to fight drug trafficking to the barest minimum.
“The success recorded by the Command in 2023 was made possible by the Grace of God and the brave efforts of the officers and men of the Command.
“The State Command is still faced with challenges ranging from the need for operational vehicles to effectively and efficiently cover the 31 local government areas of the state.
“The Command is also in need of barracks for the safety of our officers.”. She explained.
The commander said that in 2024, the command would be aggressive in fighting drug menaces to dismantle drug cartels in the state.
She added that the command would step up sensitization campaigns and advocacy on the consequences of illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
Bassey assured the Akwa Ibom people of the command’s readiness to arrest offenders, prosecute them, and convict them to serve as a deterrent to others.
She commended the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, Gov. Umo Eno, and other security agencies for their support of the command and solicited more support in the years ahead to ensure that illicit drugs are eliminated from society.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
