NDLEA sniffer dogs
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nasarawa State Command, says it arrested 589 suspected drug offenders and seized 6,327.575 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs and controlled substances between June 2025 and June 2026.
Mr. David Dechi, Nasarawa State Commander of the agency, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lafia during a news conference to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The theme of this year’s commemoration is: “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”
Dechi said that the 589 suspects comprised 568 males and 21 females arrested for various drug-related offences across the state.
He explained that the confiscated illicit drugs and other substances included 6,042.077kg of cannabis sativa, 276.501kg of psychotropic substances, 0.676kg of methamphetamine, and 0.0237kg of crack cocaine.
Others are 8.055kg of pentazocine injection, 0.004kg of pethidine injection, 0.229kg of ketamine injection and 0.009kg of fentanyl injection.
According to him, the seizures significantly disrupted drug trafficking networks and prevented large quantities of dangerous substances from reaching communities across the state.
The commander stated that the agency also intensified its legal enforcement efforts during the period, resulting in the conviction of 103 offenders who were subsequently sentenced to various jail terms by competent courts.
He added that 94 drug-related cases were filed in court, while 12 others were still pending.
Dechi said the command remained committed to reducing both the supply of illicit drugs and the demand for narcotic substances through sustained enforcement and public enlightenment.
He explained that under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, the command conducted 429 sensitisation and advocacy programmes, reaching 123,493 persons in schools, markets, places of worship, workplaces and communities.
According to him, the command also provided brief intervention and counselling services to 1,154 drug users, conducted drug integrity tests on 177 persons and rehabilitated 20 clients within the review period.
He appreciated the Chairman of the NDLEA, Retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Marwa, for his support and strategic reforms that had enhanced the operation of the agency, as well as Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for his continued support to NDLEA in the state.
The commander, however, identified inadequate logistics and poor cooperation from some communities as major challenges affecting the command’s operations.
He appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, teachers, youth groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support the agency’s campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
“The fight against drugs is a collective responsibility, and with sustained collaboration, innovation and determination, victory is achievable,” he said. (NAN)
