The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the destruction of a combined total of 304,436 kilograms and 40,042 litres of illicit substances confiscated from various locations in Lagos and Ogun states.
The chairman of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking at a brief ceremony where the seized drugs were publicly destroyed in Badagry, Lagos.
Marwa said the open destruction of the seized illicit drugs followed court orders, even as he called for more public support for ongoing efforts by NDLEA and other stakeholders to curb the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
“Though a routine exercise and an established process of removing dangerous substances from our society, the public destruction of confiscated illicit drugs is usually conducted at the end of their related cases in court”, the NDLEA boss stated.
He added that the exhibits being destroyed were of mixed types, “which include illicit drugs in solid and liquid states as well as in various classes such as cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and tramadol, among others”.
According to him, the drugs were seized by NDLEA operatives across different formations of the Agency in Lagos and Ogun states from January 2022 till date especially at the Lagos seaports, airports, and land borders.
“To be destroyed here today on the order of the court are solid drugs, weighing 304,436.055kg and 40, 042. 621 litres of liquid drugs. The sheer volume of the drug haul speaks volumes about the extent of the nefarious activities of the drug underworld.”
He expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, heads of security agencies, the clergy, members of NGOs and CSOs as well as other stakeholders who witnessed the ceremony.
“The destruction of these seizures complies with the NDLEA Act, which mandates the Agency to destroy all drug exhibits after prosecution. We want to say that your presence here is a testament to this important occasion.
“To this end, we appreciate all stakeholders and members of the public for witnessing this exercise,”
he added.
While assuring that NDLEA will not relent in its effort to end the drug scourge in the country, Marwa called for more public support for the agency.
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Chairman, Badagry West Local Government, Mr Olusegun Onilude, expressed satisfaction with NDLEA’s role in tackling the scourge of illicit drugs in the country.
“Almost all crimes and criminalities are fueled by illicit drugs, so the Lagos state government appreciates NDLEA and its leadership in their resolute fight against illicit drugs. The volume of illicit drugs being destroyed here today speak volume and every right-thinking person should be worried,” he said.
He also thanked the Agency for taking the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaign to schools and communities across Lagos State.
