The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed heaps of illicit drugs weighing about 1.6 million kilograms of assorted illicit substances seized across Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states in what is till date the largest volume of seizures to be set ablaze at a time in the history of the agency.
The public destruction of the illicit substances was witnessed by representatives of government officials, traditional rulers, clergymen, other security agencies, international partners, non-governmental organisations and community leaders, among others.
NDLEA set the illicit drugs on fire at an isolated location at Ipara, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Ogun State on Saturday.
Spokesperson of the anti-narcoric agency, Mr Femi Babafemi said some of the illicit drugs destroyed include 123 kilograms of cocaine; 46.8kg of heroin; 1.4 million kilograms of cannabis; 148,000 kilograms of codeine syrup; 3,244.26 kilograms of tramadol; 1,544 kilograms of skuchies; and 111 kilograms of methamphetamine, among others.
Speaking at the occasion, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd) said the exercise was a testament to the agency’s steadfast commitment to tackling the scourge of drug trafficking in the country.
According to him, “The sheer volume of seizures, which totals approximately 1.6 million kilograms, serves as a reminder of the grave danger these substances pose to public health until they are completely and irreversibly destroyed.
“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency operates under a clear mandate to reduce these narcotics to rubble. At all times, we discharge this duty with the utmost seriousness and diligence”.
He warned those involved in drug trafficking that the times have changed, saying there will be no breathing space or any safe haven for them in Nigeria.
He Ward, “To those still involved in the illicit drug trade, we will persist in reminding them that times have changed. The administration of President Bola Tinubu remains unwavering in its commitment to providing the leadership and political will required to eradicate this menace.
“At the NDLEA, we are fully prepared to pursue our objective of holding accountable those who defy the law. In the past four years, we have successfully prosecuted and got convicted 10,572 such offenders, who are now serving various jail terms.”
The NDLEA boss, who was represented at the occasion by the agency’s Director of Assets and Financial Investigation (DAFI), Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, justified the public destruction of the confiscated drugs saying “the rationale is simple: to show transparency and accountability.
“By making this process open, we affirm our collective resolve against the insidious activities of illicit drug trafficking.
“This exercise is not merely symbolic—it is forensic, grounded in evidence. Random laboratory tests are carried out to confirm the authenticity of the seized items.
“The substances are destroyed with the approval of the court after the cases linked to them have been brought to closure, following arrests and successful prosecution”.
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