National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, intercepted and seized 2.318 tons of cannabis in the last one week in Kwara State.
The NDLEA Commander, Hajia Fatima Popoola, said this at a news conference in Ilorin, yesterday.
Popoola said the cannabis was intercepted during two operations along Offa and Omu Aran axis of the state command at about 3am and 5:30am.
She said that four suspects arrested in connection with the seizures, concealed the drugs among sacks of saw dust.
“This is one of the biggest seizures we have made in a single week in recent time and the street value of what we seized runs into at least billions of naira.
“This shows how serious drug use and trafficking have become in Kwara,” she said.
Popoola said one of the suspects, a driver, was caught with 1.2 tons of cannabis, another suspect with 300kg of cannabis, while the remaining 720kg seizure was linked to two suspects.
The drugs were reportedly concealed in Canter trucks and disguised as ordinary goods with sacks of saw dust to deceive
“A J5 vehicle was checked, which appeared to be empty, but we found it loaded with cannabis, and these operations took place mostly between 3am and 5:30am, when traffickers often move to avoid detection,” she said.
The commander, who noted that drugs are at the root of many criminal activities, added that, “no sane person wakes up to commit inhumane acts or violent crimes, most of the time, there is drug influence behind it.”
She said security challenges in such places like Kaiama, Chikanda, Patigi, Edu and Omu Aran are drug-related.
The commander said while only two tons of drugs were seized in 2024, the command has seized over 2,000 kilograms between January and August .
She attributed the feat to the synergy among sister security agencies, saying “NDLEA is not working alone. We are working with the police, army, civil defence and traditional rulers.”
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended the agency for the feat, adding that the arrests and seizures reflect the commitment of his administeation to eliminate drug abuse in the state.
Represented by the Senior Adviser/Counsellor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, AbdulRazaq said the state is working closely with NDLEA in mobilising traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society groups and religious institutions to create awareness on the dangers of drug abuse.
“We need to educate the younger generation on the health implications of involvement in drugs,” he said.
He urged residents to be vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that the fight against drug trafficking requires everyone’s support.
The event was attended by representatives of traditional rulers, military and para-military agencies. (NAN).
