
By Uduak Akai
UYO
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Akwa Ibom State Command, has disclosed that no less than 779.262kg of illicit drugs were seized by the command in the year ended 2024.
The sum total of the said drugs was N6,051,367 (six million, fifty-one thousand, three hundred and sixty-seven naira).
The command as well arrested over 299 suspects including six drug barons that have been terrorizing the peace of Akwa Ibom State with their deadly merchandise and also secured 56 convictions in the period under review.
This disclosure was made by the commandant, NDLEA, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mrs. Obot Bassey, while briefing newsmen at NDLEA’s Office in Uyo, Thursday.
Bassey stated that the briefing was necessary as it would provide an overview of the command’s achievements in year 2024 and also keep the public abreast with the goings on in the command.
The NDLEA commandant added that the command has shown resilience in keeping our homes, the streets and the state safe and has as well recorded remarkable achievements in counselling and advocacy which are vital areas in war against illicit drugs template to balance optimally the supply reduction and drug demand reduction.
She noted that the agency successfully commemorated the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking where a total of 204 clients were counselled, 41 clients with substance use disorder rehabilitated and integrated into the society and also embarked on campaigns, sensitization and enlightenment lectures on the War Against Drug Abuse in 71 locations including workplaces, government offices churches, communities and schools.
The Akwa Ibom NDLEA boss maintained that the command collaborated with other security agencies in the state such as Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and appreciated them for their invaluable synergy.
The commandant listed challenges of the command to include operational vehicles to cover the 31 local government areas in the state, barracks for safety of officers and marine boats, she observed that these challenges truncate the efficiency of the command.
She envisaged partnership with host communities, balanced solutions to issues of drugs reduction and supply, high level of advocacy, governance and coordination among key stakeholders on drugs issues, monitoring drug centres and black spots in the state, sharing of intelligence with sister agencies and rigorous war against drug abuse and campaigns among others.
She appreciated Governor Umo Eno for his magnanimous support in the war against drug abuse in the state; the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; the coordinator of the office of the first lady, Mrs Helen Obareki; secretary to state government (SSG), Ministry of Information, the media, host communities, stakeholders, religious leaders, among others, for their support and cooperation in 2024 and sued for more in 2025.
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