The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa has that the agency have recorded a total cash and drugs seizure valued at over Ninety Billion Naira.
Marwa said this on Saturday at the launch of War Against Drug Abuse in commemoration of the United Nations International Day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking at the State House conference centre in Abuja.
“The National Drug Survey 2019, for example, indicated that cannabis is the most commonly abused substance by an estimated 10.6 million Nigerians, some of whom started smoking as early as 19 years of age. The Global Drug Survey 2019, also, cited cannabis as the most abused substance with West Africa having the highest abuse prevalence. The World Health Organisation on substance abuse also stated unequivocally that cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance in Africa, with the highest prevalence, between 5.2% and 13.5%, found in West Africa. Ladies and Gentlemen, West Africa, by implication, means Nigeria, Marwa said.
According to the NDLEA boss, he said his efforts have yielded positive results as over 2, 180 traffickers have been arrested, including five drug barons controlling different cartels across Nigeria; a record 2.05 million kilograms of drugs intercepted and seized across the country; 2,100 drug offenders prosecuted with 500 jailed by courts,
Marwa, since the inception of his administration, has constantly campaigned against the abuse of drugs in Nigeria. Earlier on Monday, he stressed that he is opposed to demands for the legalization of cannabis in Nigeria. He explained that the nation cannot afford to mortgage the lives of the citizens for financial gains by illegalizing cannabis.
President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. Members of the National Assembly and other top government functionaries were also at the event.
