During the operation at the destruction site
MINNA: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed illegal drugs worth over N1 billion in Minna, the Niger State Capital.
The drugs, which according to the NDLEA, weighed about 21 tonnes were recovered by its operatives across the state.
Speaking to journalists at the destruction site in Maikunkele, in the Bosso local government area of Niger State, the Commandant of the NDLEA in Niger State, Haruna Kwetishe said that the exercise was in line with the provision of the NDLEA Act which mandates it to arrest, prosecute and destroy illegal drugs recovered from the public.
Kwetishe said that the state command of the NDLEA had obtained vourt orders from the Federal High Court in Minna to destroy the illicit drugs.
“NDLEA Act mandates us to arrest drug traffickers and dealers, seize illicit drugs and prosecute all drugs-related offenders who contravene the Act, and destroy seized drugs publicly, in fulfilment of this mandate.
NDLEA Niger Command obtained court orders from Federal High Court, Minna, for the public destruction of the 21 tonnes of various types of illicit substances,” he stated.
He said that the exercise would be a continuous one, in its bid to rid the state of drug trafficking and intake.
Some of the drugs destroys included other hard substances Cannabis Sativa, cocaine, methamphetamine as well as other psychotropic substances and stimulants.
The exercise was attended by the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello.
Bello, represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs, Emmanuel Umar pledged to continue to support the efforts of the NDLEA at ridding the state of drug abuse and trafficking.