TheCable

The Osun state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives arrested 252 illicit drug suspects from January to December 2023.

In a statement on Saturday, Chidi Nnadi, the NDLEA state commander, said the suspects comprised 214 males and 38 females.

He said the command secured conviction of 57 suspects whose sentencing ranged from three months to five years imprisonment.

Nnadi added that 47 cases are pending in court.

He said the command seized illicit drugs weighing 1,909.69kg during the period.

“Within same period, the drug supply reduction efforts led to the discovery and destruction of 9.5 hectares of cannabis farms (23.759 tonnes of cannabis sativa) at Ifedayo and Oriade local government areas.” he said.

“The agency had a brief counselling intervention in 79 People Who Use Drug (PWUD) and  embarked on awareness/sensitisation programmes in religious houses, schools, motor parks, markets and workplaces.”

The commander thanked Ademola Adeleke, the state governor, for providing the support in ridding the state and the entire country of substance abuse.

Similarly, on Friday, the NDLEA Kaduna state command, said its operatives seized 13,623.204kgs of illicit substances and arrested 1,005 suspects in 2023.

Samaila Danmalam, the NDLEA Kaduna commander, said the suspects consist 965 males and 40 females.

He added that convictions have been secured for some of those arrested.