The Benue Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of 251 suspects for drug-related offences in 2024. The state commander, Esther Musa, revealed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.
According to Musa, 220 of the arrested individuals were male, while 31 were female. Out of these cases, 31 suspects were convicted, 39 cases were dropped, and several others remain ongoing. The agency also seized significant quantities of illicit drugs and recovered monetary exhibits from suspects.
Among the confiscated substances were over one ton (175.7 kg) of cannabis, 43 kg of Tramadol, 4.39 kg of Diazopharm, 156.1 kg of Codeine syrup, and 0.27 kg of Fitamin. Additionally, locally made pistols, ammunition, and explosives were recovered and handed over to security agencies.
Musa emphasized that the agency’s key achievements included arrests, seizures, and its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, which focused on public sensitization about the dangers of drug trafficking and consumption. The NDLEA organized 142 awareness programs, primarily targeting schools, religious centers, and local communities.
She appealed to the Benue State Government and non-governmental organizations to assist in establishing a standard rehabilitation center. The command currently operates a mini rehab facility but lacks proper infrastructure, especially for female clients, forcing them to turn away those in need of treatment.
The commander urged young people to resist the temptation of drug abuse, warning that it could destroy their health and future. She reiterated that proactive education and awareness efforts remain more effective than arrests in tackling the drug menace.
