NDLEA Nabs 107 Drug Traffickers, Seizes 1,067,423kg of Banned Substances in Taraba

Wole Ayodele in Jalingo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Taraba State Command has arrested 107 suspected drug traffickers in the state between January and June 2023.

Within the same period, according to the Agency, a total of 1,067,423kg of various banned substances were seized in the state.

The Taraba State Commandant of NDLEA, Mr Nanzing Sallah, who disclosed this in Jalingo on Monday at the grand finale celebration of the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, further revealed that seven of the suspects have been convicted to various jail terms.

The remaining suspects, according to the commandant, are being prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Jalingo just as he expressed optimism that the court would do justice to the cases.

Sallah noted that one of the suspects is a woman, while the seized substances included Cannabis Sativa and other psychotropic substances.

Enumerating the challenges faced by the Agency in the war against drug abuse and trafficking in the state, the commandant urged communities to provide useful information on drug-related matters to the command, adding that the Agency cannot achieve its mandate without the support and cooperation of the public.

He equally listed inadequate operational vehicles and logistics, as well as lack of adequate office accommodation as major challenges hindering the smooth operation and effectiveness of the Agency in the state.

He however lamented the incessant attack on men and officers of the Agency in the course of carrying out their mandates and therefore issued a stern warning that the Agency would no longer condone such affront.

Sallah appealed to the state government and other well to do individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the Agency, stressing that it is imperative for the state government to collaborate and demonstrate its partnership in the war against drug abuse.

Also speaking, the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Agyin Kefas, who was decorated by the Commandant as Grand Patron of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), expressed her readiness to join forces with the Agency to bring drug abuse to an end in the state.

Mrs Kefas pledged to donate a rehabilitation centre to the Agency where drug addicts would be properlycatered for and receive counseling that would help them to quit drugs permanently.