Ogun: NDLEA arrests 181 suspects in five months

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Ogun State, on Thursday, said it had arrested 181 suspected drug dealers and recovered three pistols in the last five months in the state.

The state Commander of the NDLEA, Ibiba Odili, disclosed this during a press briefing held in Abeokuta, in commemoration of the 2023 United Nation’s International Day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking with the theme: ‘People First: Stop Stigma, and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention’.

The commander said the NDLEA had taken the fight to the doorsteps of drug traffickers through its operation which she said has led to the arrest of some suspects, recovery of weapons, and seizures of hard drugs.

She said, “The command has made an arrest of 181 suspects who comprise 147 male suspects and 34 female suspects from February till date.

“The command also recovered three locally-made pistols during operations in different parts of the state and we have handed them over to the police.

“On reduction of supply of drugs, we have seized 3,14151 tonnes, 9.4259Kgs Psychotropic Substance, 29.8g of Cocaine, 1,446.5 litres of Skuches, Codeine 7.65Litres, and 1.8906Kgs Methamphetamine within the period under review.

“On prosecution, the command has charged 60 cases and secured 33 convictions which comprise six females and 27 males.”

The commander added that as part of efforts to sensitise the public against drug abuse, the command has taken sensitisation to primary, secondary and tertiary schools as well as faith-based organizations among others.

She said, “126 persons have been counselled while five victims have been referred to various specialist hospitals”.