The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Plateau Command, said it arrested 177 suspected drug dealers and seized 12 tons of psychotropic substances and hard drugs in 11 months.
Mrs. Anne Nwora, NDLEA’s Assistant State commander, who disclosed this while addressing journalists on Wednesday in Jos, said the agency also secured 49 convictions within the period under review.
The event was part of the command’s activities to mark the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking.
She said that most of the arrests were made at flash points within Jos-Bukuru metropolis, such as Angwan Rukuba, Gada Biyu and West of mines.
The assistant commander further disclosed that the command helped in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts in its facility.
Nwora commended Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong, for offering to build a standard rehabilitation centre for counselling and rehabilitation of drug dependent persons in the state command.
She said this year’s theme; entitled “Justice for health, Health for justice” was aimed at effectively combating the menace of illicit drug use and substance abuse, holistically.
Nwora said the implementation would be carried out bearing in mind the human rights of the victims, characterised by effective criminal justice system as well as prevention and management of drug abuse menace.
The assistant commander enjoined stakeholders in criminal justice system to enforce laws that would protect people from “violence and criminal exploitation emanating from illicit drug use and substance abuse.”
She tasked parents and communities to shun stigmatisation of victims of drug abuse but rehabilitate them to enable them overcome the consequences of their action.
NAN
