NDLEA Secures 70 Convictions In 2014, Seizes 1.6 Tons Of Drugs In Ebonyi

NDLEA Secures 70 Convictions In 2014, Seizes 1.6 Tons Of Drugs In Ebonyi – Commander

The Commander of the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ebonyi,
Mr Raphael Igwenagu, on Saturday said
the agency has secured 70 convictions in
the state in 2014.
Igwenagu told the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) in Abakaliki that the command
also seized 1.6 tons of drugs within the
period under review.
According to him, the 70 convictions was
the highest level of conviction ever
secured since the inception of the
command.
“I commend the effectiveness,
commitment and the precision handling
of drug related cases by the judiciary in
Ebonyi.
“Political activities often results in youths
being used as thugs to consume hard
drugs which gives them false strength to
perpetrate violence”, he said.
He recalled that the agency had secured
the conviction of 25 persons in 2013 and
seized 520 kilograms of drugs, while in
2012; 300 kilograms of drugs were seized
in the state.
He described the volume of seizure in
2014 as unprecedented, attributing it to
the resumption of political activities and
the more aggressive strategies adopted
by various enforcement agencies in the
state.
Igwenagu said the agency would intensify
efforts in 2015 to prevent and control the
use of hard drugs by youths across the
state.
“We would also enhance activities in
public enlightenment to inform the
general public, especially the youths on
the inherent dangers of hard drug
consumption and peddling.
“This is essential because public
enlightenment is key to our operations, it
helps to educate them on the
consequences of hard drug consumption
or peddling and to prevent the public
from venturing into it”, he said.
The Ebonyi NDLEA commander appealed
to the Federal Government for more funds
and logistics to enable the agency
perform more creditably. (NAN)