The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has destroyed 3,450kg of drug exhibits in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The drugs comprising 3,418.319kg of cannabis and 32.088kg of psychotropic substances were seized by the agency from drug dealers in the state.
According to a statement by NDLEA’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, was represented by the agency’s Director of Administration and Finance, Dr. Daniel Ismaila, at the event which was also attended by the wife of the governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed.
The NDLEA boss said the agency would continue to identify, trace and destroy cannabis plantations in the state.
“The agency is committed to eradicating the production, trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs in this state. Drug trafficking is an organised crime that works like a two-edged sword affecting the entire society and must therefore be tackled” he said.
“We are working towards a drug-free society. Our surveillance mechanisms will also trace hidden warehouses of illicit drugs. We shall not only seize these exhibits, but even the warehouses will not be spared. We shall continue to smoke out the drug dealers from their hideouts and prosecute them accordingly.”
“This exercise is a clear indication that local government areas, like city centres, are not immune to the devastating effects of illicit drug production. If you fail to report the drug barons in your neighbourhood, they may destroy the lives of people including your children.”
The state commander of the agency, Mrs. Omotunde Koleosho, in her address decried the level of drug abuse in the state.
She said the command discovered and destroyed three cannabis farms in Chikanda in Baruten, and Kaiama local government areas of the state.
“A warehouse containing 358 kilogrammes of cannabis was also discovered at Gaa-Odota, Ilorin. These efforts have helped to reduce the quantity of drugs in circulation in the state.”
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Anthony Towoju, pledged government’s readiness to join forces with the anti-drug agency in ridding the state of illegal drugs.
“We know the problem of drugs particularly on our youths. The state government will partner the NDLEA in ensuring that Kwara State is free from illegal drugs. I also wish to commend the efforts of the state command of the agency,” the governor said.
