The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 25 tons of illegal drugs in Kogi State. The agency carried out the public destruction on Wednesday in Lokoja.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retired), was represented at the event by Ahmed Suleiman Ningi, the director of operations and general investigation.
Ningi explained that these drugs, weighing 25,000 kilograms, could have worsened insecurity in Kogi and across Nigeria if they had been allowed to spread.
The seized and destroyed drugs included:
- Cannabis Sativa – 20,000.316 kg
- Tramadol – 476.864 kg
- Rohypnol – 13.045 kg
- Diazepam – 151.319 kg
- Exol-5 – 648.683 kg
- Pentazocine Injection – 361.650 kg
- Cocaine – 1.888 kg
- Codeine-based Syrup – 2,393.94 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
Marwa highlighted worrying statistics from the 2018 National Drug Use Survey. He noted that:
- 14.3 million Nigerians (aged 15-64) abuse drugs, which is equal to the population of some countries.
- 10.6 million Nigerians abuse cannabis, making Nigeria one of the countries with the highest number of cannabis users.
He emphasized that drug abuse leads to severe health and security problems. Since NDLEA’s new leadership took over in January 2021, they have increased their efforts to fight drug abuse and trafficking.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, was represented at the event by his State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara (retired). The governor’s administration is deeply concerned about drug abuse in the state and supports efforts to curb it.
By destroying these drugs, NDLEA aims to make Kogi and Nigeria safer. The agency remains committed to fighting drug abuse and ensuring a drug-free society.
