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From Magnus Eze, Enugu
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), yesterday, destroyed 24 tons of illicit drugs seized by the Enugu State Command and at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
This is as a retired Inspector General of Police and former chairman of the agency, Ogbonnaya Onovo, urged it to institute a hall of fame in honour of operatives who lost their lives in the line of duty. Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), who spoke at the exhibit burning ceremony, along Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway, Enugu, applauded the state command for its commitment to the war against drugs and illicit substances. He assured that the agency will not rest on its oars, but continue to explore all avenues within the ambit of the law, to rid the country of the menace of hard drugs. Represented by Director, Operations and General Investigation, Samuel Gadzama, Marwa said: “For the avoidance of doubt, I want to inform you that we are gathered here for the pubic destruction by burning of illicit drugs seized by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA, Enugu State Command.
at various times, between 2008 and 2022; totalling 23,721.7948kg. The breakdown of these drugs are as follows: cocaine: 21.699kg; heroin: 14.828kg; amphetamine: 0.0618kg; methamphetamine: 24.347kg, precursor chemicals: 154.0kg, cannabis sativa: 23,225.1kg and pharmaceutical: 281.759kg.”
Onovo commended the achievements of the agency over the years, adding that Marwa has brought uncommon impetus to the fight against drugs in the country. He said the several cases of interdiction by the agency were enough justification that much was being done. Onovo then called on the Federal Government to properly fund the agency, if the war against drugs is to be won.
“I will recommend that we open a hall of famers in NDLEA headquarters in Lagos, and put the pictures of these people who died in the line of duty, and state how they died. I also want the agency to look into the welfare of the families they left behind,” he said.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi extolled the agency for its resilience in the war against illicit drugs, adding that their efforts contributed to the peaceful atmosphere in the state. Special Adviser on Information, Steve Oruruo, who represented the governor, said it was very clear that the state is the safest in the South East and Nigeria in general.
“Despite the vices and security challenges we have had, with effort of the security agencies, the dangers have been tended,” he said, assuring that the government will continue to support the agency, even if this administration serves out its tenure.
State Commander, Bassey Idim, said the event was not only phenomenal to him, but a milestone in the fight against illicit drugs in the state.
