NDLEA arrests 143 suspects, seizes 2, 157.48kg of drugs in Niger

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Niger said it arrested 143 drug suspects and seized 2,157.48kg of drugs in 2013.

The NDLEA Commander in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul, made the disclosure when he briefed newsmen on the activities of the agency in 2013 in Minna on Wednesday.

Abdul said the suspects comprising 140 males and three females were arrested in Minna, Suleja, Mokwa, Kontagora, Kainji, Kagara and Babanna Areas of the state.

He said that of the seized drugs 2,148 kg were Indian hemp, 8.5 kg were other psychotropic substances and 18 pinches of substance suspected to be cocaine.

The commander said that out of the 143 suspects, 20 drug dependent people were treated by the agency.

'Each of the suspects spent at least two months in our mini-rehabilitation centre in Minna during which special counselling methods were used to treat them,'' he said.

He said 242 others were arrested by the NDLEA and other security agencies were counselled and released to their relations.

Abdul said other seizure made during the year included 600 grammes  of marijuana seeds seized in Babana Border Area of the state.

He said the command also seized one locally-made pistol and two single barrel guns with 10 live cartridges.

The commander added that the three persons arrested in connection with the arms and ammunition was transferred to the police.

Abdul also said that the agency arrested and transferred four fake medical doctors to the state Ministry of Health for appropriate action.

He said that the command secured conviction of 46 people, while other cases were at various levels of completion.

He said that the agency had stepped up public enlightenment campaigns to reduce demand for illicit drugs in the state.

'Public awareness lectures were organised for school children, tertiary institution students, market places and parks'', he noted. (NAN)