The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Command in Niger says it made a total seizure of 585,862 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, known as Indian hemp from January to June in the state.

Mr Haruna Kwetishe, the state NDLEA Commandant, disclosed this in Minna on Saturday at a day lecture organized by the agency as part of the activities to mark 2021 United Nations International Day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

Kwetishe said the command has also intercepted and seized 113,533kg of psychotropic substances and 273.39 litres of cough syrup with codeine within the same period.

According to him, the command has continued its onslaught against drug paddlers in the state.

Kwetishe added that in carrying out the seizures, 68 suspects were arrested, while 15 of them have been convicted by the court, adding that no fewer than 256 drug addicts have been successfully counselled by the agency.

He warned all drug peddlers, dealers and other merchants of death to desist from what he called” dastardly act.

He said banditry and kidnapping in the state were being fueled by the use of drugs, stressing that the agency would not relent in its efforts to arrest and prosecute offenders.

He expressed sadness that the efforts of the agency to take drugs prevention education to every nooks and cranny of the state were being hampered by a lack of funds.

He appealed to the state government and other stakeholders to assist the agency to reduce the menace of drugs abuse in the state to its barest minimum.

Gov. Abubakar Bello, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Ahmed Metane, commended the NDLEA for its renewed war against drugs abuse and illicit trafficking in the state.

Matane assured of the government’s support in order to reduce the menace of drug abuse in the state.

He admitted that 90 per cent of crimes and criminalities were committed under the influence of drugs, warning that until all stakeholders joined hands to fight the menace, crimes and criminalities would continue to increase.

NAN