The Kogi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) said in it’s effort to reduce drug supply and dependency in the state, a total of 129 illegal drug dealers were arrested, while the command also seized 282.314 kg of hard drugs in 2025.
The state commander, CN Umar Mustapha Yahuza who disclosed this on Tuesday in Lokoja, while briefing journalists as part of activities to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held at the command’s conference hall, said these drugs includes Cannabis sativa, Cocaine, Tramadol, Opioids and other psychotropic substances.
“These drugs are meant to be sold to our teaming youths in Kogi state and others are been transported to other parts of the country. One could imagine the level of destruction if these drugs have found their way into circulation.
He added that the command also secured a total of thirty five convictions between January and June 2025, saying that the remaining cases are in their various stages of prosecution at the Federal High Court, Lokoja.
“The command through its Drug Demand Reduction Unit has carried out series of drug abuse awareness campaigns across the state in motor parks, schools, mosques, churches, corporate organizations etc.
“The Unit has also counseled 106 drug dependent persons who were brought to the unit in course of raid operations and were admitted on brief counseling intervention. He said
Speaking further he said “a total of 40 drug dependent persons who were referred to the command by their families were given comprehensive counseling and rehabilitation services and were discharged and reintegrated back to the society.
“Last year by this time I informed the good people of Kogi State on the annual commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse, Illicit Trafficking in narcotics and psychotropic substances.
He commended the collaborative effort of the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, saying that he is always on hand to support the command in its efforts to ensure the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking is brought down to the barest minimum.
“In addition to that, this year in collaboration with the office of Her Excellency and founder Ohunene Empowerment Initiative, we are pleased to announce the commencement of activities to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Kogi State.
He noted that in the past one week, Ohunene Empowerment Initiative in collaboration with the State Command has embarked on series of sensitization across the state. “Sensitization campaigns were embarked in Lokoja, Okene, Kabba and as I am speaking to you, one is already taking place at Anyigba , Kogi East Senatorial district.
“This is to show the level of passion and dedication by His Excellency for the welfare and security of the people of Kogi State.
“This year, the theme of the commemoration is “The Evidence is clear: Invest in Prevention”. The theme as the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency puts it “will once again serve as a framework for our awareness campaigns, Stakeholders engagements, and community outreach efforts.
He stressed that he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has to two basic approaches in tackling the menace of drug abuse and trafficking, which are the Drug supply reduction approach and Drug demand reduction approach, which the commandant said is already yielding positive result.
“The drug supply strategy include arrests and prosecution of illegal drug dealers and confiscation of their proceeds believed to have been acquired through illegal drug business. This category of offenders are of course sent to court for prosecution. In
“The supply reduction technique is meant to suppress and reduce the availability of hard drugs in circulation and prevent it from getting into wrong hands.
“The Drug Reduction techniques are meant to deter and discourage the abuse of hard drugs by dependent persons and offer them the necessary care that they need to overcome their addiction.