El-Rufai destroys 12,366kg of drugs in Kaduna

Govornor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna in a bid to rid the state of fake drugs on Wednesday led stakeholders to publicly destroy forfeited drugs weighing 12,366kgs, worth N133 million.
A statement by the spokesperson for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Mitchel Ofoyeju, said the counterfeit drugs were set ablaze on Tuesday in Kufena, Zaria area of the State.
El-Rufai during the event was quoted as saying security of lives and property were the focal point of his administration.
“Over 100 patrol vehicles will soon be distributed to security agencies in the state to carry out their duties,” it said.
The governor commended the agency for the achievement recorded in its fight against fake drugs, adding that he pledged to spearhead anti-drug advocacy.
Chairman of the anti-narcotic agency, Mr Ahmadu Giade said the destruction was symbolic and in line with the agency’s Act.
He said, “The NDLEA Act mandates us under section 3 sub-section 1 (i) to take measures for the early destruction or disposal of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances which have been seized, confiscated or forfeited.
“Public destruction of drugs is therefore a continuous exercise in our quest to have a drug-free and secured society and the world at large,’’ the statement said.
Giade, who was represented by the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services of the agency, Mr Sunday Joseph, gave the breakdown of the drugs.
“We have the permission of the court to publicly destroy a total of 12,366kgs of narcotic drugs.
“The breakdown of the drugs is as follows: Cannabis Sativa also known as Indian hemp constitutes the bulk of the drugs with 12,351.938kgs. “Psychotropic substances are 13.443kgs, Cocaine 63g and Heroin 57g,’’ the statement quoted him as saying.
Giade quoted the World Drug Report of 2015 stating that 27 million people were suffering from drug use disorders or drug dependence.
“The report adds that a total of 246 million people or 1 out of 20 people between the ages of 15 and 64 years used an illicit drug in 2013.
“Nigeria used to be a transit point because of the activities of drug cartels that import drugs from drug producing countries to Nigeria before smuggling same to Europe, Asia and America.
“However, the situation is changing as Nigeria is gradually becoming a producer country.
“Apart from the cultivation of cannabis, the agency has discovered 10 clandestine laboratories used for the production of methamphetamine in the past five years,’’ it said. It noted that while calling for more support from the public, Giade promised to intensify investigation of suspected drug dealers to bring them to book and ensure the forfeiture of their ill-gotten wealth.
“Many students have dropped out of school on account of drugs, while others are in prison custody for trafficking narcotics. “Drug addiction has confined many addicts to treatment centres and psychiatric hospitals over mentally induced ailments, while some have died prematurely.
“The sad stories of children who murdered their parents, siblings and neighbours under the influence of drugs are timely warnings,” the statement said.