Q3: NDLEA Has Seized N80m Worth Of Drugs, Arrested 134 Suspects -Commander

The National Drug Law, Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) FCT command has seized 3,988.74 kilograms of assorted drugs with a monetary value of N80milion. The FCT Commander of Narcotics, (CN) Mr Kabir Tsakuwa disclosed this in Abuja. Tsakuwa however, said that a total of 134 suspected drug traffickers, peddlers and abusers were also arrested in the same period. He named the assorted drugs as cannabis Sativa, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Tramadol, Rohypnol and Diazepam. He added that the major drug seized by the Operatives of the NDLEA was cannabis sativa adding that many suspects were prosecuted and convicted in the same period. According to him, cannabis sativa seized within the same period are 3,861.789kg while cocaine intercepted were 0.038Kg “Others includes diazepam which weighs 13.63Kg, Tramadol weighs 105.136Kg while Methamphetamine weighs 3.024Kg, Ectasy weighs 0.009kg with Pentazocine weighing 1.070Kg. “134 suspected drugs users and traffickers were arrested in third quarter in which 128 are males and six are females. “The total street value of drugs seized within the same period is about Eighty Million Naira (N80m). “One hundred and four (104) suspects were prosecuted, out of which 27 were convicted,” he said. Speaking on what the command had been doing to ensure reduction of usage and trafficking of illicit drugs in the FCT, the NDLEA boss said that the Command had a balanced approach in drug control strategy. This, he said was via drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction as they both complemented each other. He said the demand reduction was aimed at preventive measures while the supply reduction strategy was about enforcement duties. He said “under the preventive strategy, we have a sustainable intensive sensitisation and public enlightenment programme using the platform of “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA). Tsakuwa said that WADA was a social advocacy campaign designed to get every Nigerian involved in the task of ridding the country of illicit substance. “We organised programmes in schools, corporate organisations, religious places of worship (Mosques and Churches), etc. to ensure involvement of all stakeholders. “We collaborate with quite a number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to carry out sensitisation. “We also provide support systems for drug dependent individuals through counseling at our rehabilitation centre that is manned by well learned counseling experts. “Clients are counseled for a period of three, six and 12 months depending on the level of addiction of the individual. “Under Supply reduction, we embark on arrest of drug offenders, investigation and prosecution,” he said.

Military Takes Down 53 Illegal Refining Sites, Apprehends 19 Suspects

In a significant operation, troops of Operation Delta Safe have eliminated 53 illegal refining sites, captured 19 suspected oil thieves, and recovered stolen products. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, revealed these accomplishments during a press briefing in Abuja, where he also highlighted the military’s ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region. Furthermore, the military successfully dismantled 54 dugout pits, 66 boats, 138 storage tanks, 253 cooking ovens, two pumping machines, eight speedboats, 17 hoses, 18 drums, and two cylinders used in these illegal operations. Notably, they recovered a significant quantity of stolen crude oil, illegally refined AGO, and DPK. Additionally, troops neutralized a criminal, rescued three hostages, and seized a fabricated rifle, 18 vehicles, and one flashlight. Operation UDO KA in the South East resulted in the arrest of suspected IPOB/ESN members in Ebonyi and Imo States, along with the neutralization of five terrorists, the apprehension of 12 suspected criminals, and the rescue of seven kidnapped hostages. The troops also recovered various weapons and explosives, which were subsequently handed over to the relevant authorities. These operations have been pivotal in uncovering and dismantling criminal ‘safe havens’ used by extremists across various theatres of operation as criminals have been exploiting national parks, game reserves, and forests as hideouts, with disturbing activities discovered in some of these camps, shedding light on the horrific acts committed by these extremists.

NSCDC Arrests 3 Cable Thieves in Bauchi 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Command, Bauchi, has arrested three suspected vandals and transformer cable thieves in Jama’are local government area (LGA) of the state. This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesman, DCP Ibrahim Gabdo, and made available to newsmen at the weekend in Bauchi.  He said the three suspected transformer cable thieves and vandals were arrested in different locations in Jama’are local government area sometimes in August. According to him, the suspects were arrested by the NSCDC Command patrol team following intelligence reports that some criminals were vandalizing transformer cables and carting them away. “The arrested suspects are Abdulwahab Yakubu, 18, of Unguwar Abuja, Jama’are LGA, Ya’u Abdullahi, 18, of Unguwar Tsamiya, Jama’are LGA, and Musa Haruna, 19, of Jama’are LGA.  He said the Commandant, Mr Oyejide Ilelaboye, paraded the suspected vandals at the NSCDC State Command Bauchi. He warned other criminal elements in the state to turn a new life before the law catches up with them.” The Spokesman said the three suspects were arraigned before the Federal High Court Bauchi on Friday, for conspiracy and vandalism.