NDLEA arrests 325 drug abuse, trafficking suspects in Benue 

….secures 28 convictions 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Benue State Command, on Wednesday, said it  has arrested a total of q325 suspects for various drug-related offences between June 2024 to May 2025.

The State Commander of the  Agency, Mrs. Esther Musa, revealed this at a news conference held at the  command’s headquarters in Makurdi, as part of activities to mark the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 

While highlighting the achievements of the command period under review, Musa disclosed that, out of the total number of suspects apprehended, 228 were male while 37, female.

According to her, a total of 1,902,2573kg of drugs raging from cannabis, tramados, D5, Codeine syrup, pentazocine, swinol, molly and others.

She added that the command  equally counselled 205 suspects, while 35 number of clients undergone rehabilitation and urine drug test was conducted for 385 persons.

The commander explained that the Agency was able to secured 28 convictions  out of the 36 charges/ cases filed against suspects.

“We also got final forfeitures of two vehicles, 22 motorcycles, two bicycles, N794,450 monetary exhibits, while four vehicles and tow motorcycles were taken on interim forfeitures.

“We have been able to carried out drugs test on 387 persons to ascertain their levels of involvement in drugs use. So far so good, we want to thank Almighty God and it has not been without challenges.

“We want to appreciate the state governor who has been supporting the command in terms of logistics and funding of our activities.

“We want to thank our able chairman and CEO of NDLEA, who have given us courage and enable environment for us to engage in these assignments, onerous tasks, ridding our nation of drugs  abuse and illicit trafficking of hard drugs.

“This fight is not left in the hand of NDLEA alone, that is why on a day like this during the United Nations International Day Against Drugs Trafficking, it is a time to call on all and sundry globally to join forces with the agency to clear this menace of cankerworm that had bedeviled and eaten deep into our society.

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“You would agreed with me that, in recent times, we have had lots of cases that bothers on insecurity, that it is not unconnected with the use of substances by these criminal elements. For them to indulge in these act of criminalities,  they are under the influence of substances.

“So, we are calling on all and sundry to enjoin forces with the agency who has the primary mandate of ridding the society and Benue State in particular the menace of  hard drugs”, Mrs.said.

She noted that, in Benue State,  the Agency is winning the fight against drug abuse, hence the reduction in the number of arrest made within this year 2025.

“I can say that we are winning the war against drugs abuse and  illicit drugs trafficking because the number of arrest we are making now is not as much as like that of last year. 

“This goes to  show that our drugs reduction efforts in terms of sensitisation and enlightening is yielding positive results and also the prosecution aspects.

“People are now aware that they can land in jail and if they indulge in these things is dangerous to their health. It can cut short of their livelihoods, their destiny, can drop out of school, can cause family disintegration. 

“So, gradually we are winning, we have not gotten there yet. There are still lots of works to be done” she alluded