THIRTY-FOUR persons have been arrested for drug-related offences by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following raids on illicit drug dealers’ dens in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NDLEA Commander in the FCT Kabir Tsakuwa disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, May 18.
The Commander said operatives of the Agency also seized various kinds of illicit substances in the course of the newly launched ‘Operation Tsaro’ aimed at crippling the FCT drug market.
Operation Tsaro was launched on May 8 ahead of the handover of government to a new administration, according to the FCT NDLEA Commander.
“While some of the arrested individuals have been charged and taken to court, others who are users are undergoing counselling sessions,” Tsakuwa said.
Some of the products seized by the Agency include cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, tramadol, codeine, rohypnol, among other psychotropic substances.
Areas covered during the raid are Torabora, Dei-dei, Wuse Zone 4, Wuse Zone 3, Banex, Garki Village, Area 1, Gwarimpa village, Karu Abattoir, Gwagwalada, Kabusa, and Kuchigoro IDP Camp.
In December 2022, the NDLEA said it seized drugs worth N450 billion over a period of 22 months.
The FCT NDLEA also disclosed in March 2023 that it arrested 793 suspects for drug-related cases in one year.
Of 793 suspects arrested, 768 were males and 29, females.
At least 13,125kg of various drug substances were seized during the period with cannabis sativa making up over 12,000kg.
Also, between January and March 2023, the NDLEA said it seized over 2265kg of drugs in the FCT alone.
A 2018 survey by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows that there is a considerable use of psychoactive substances in Nigeria, especially cannabis sativa, opioids and cough syrups.
The report also disclosed that at least 14. 4 per cent, or 14.3 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 years, use drugs in Nigeria.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via vopara@icirnigeria.org or @ije_le on Twitter.