The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Tin Can Island Special Area Port Command, has successfully concluded a week long of activities to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
The joint Grand Finale, which was held in Apapa yesterday, was witnessed by NDLEA officials and Stakeholders around the ports community.
NDLEA Commander, Tin Can Island Port, Special Area Command, Muhammed Abubakar, observed that the theme for the year teaches countries the importance of understanding that effective drug policies need to be grounded in science, research, compassion, and full respect for human rights.
The theme for this year is “The evidence is clear: invest in prevention”.
According to him, in the fight against hard drugs, the command aligns with the War Against Drug Trafficking (WADA) initiative of the Chairman Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brigadier General Babar Marwa (Rtrd).
Stressing the importance of
continuous Stakeholders
collaboration, he revealed that in 2024, the NDLEA Special Area Command Tincan has undertaken a series of robust operations and interventions that have significantly disrupted the activities of drug trafficking syndicates.
According to him, within the period, NDLEA has recorded a total of 21 arrests of suspected drug traffickers out of which 14 were indicted and currently on trial before a federal high court in Lagos.
He noted that seizure of approximately 28,622.389 kilogrammes of various illicit drugs, including cannabis indica or Canadian loud weighing 2, 232.999 kilograms, which is an increase of 261.9% of the total seizures recorded by the command last year.
Included also is seizure of Heroin weighing 79.39 kilograms, and 26,310 kilograms of Barcadin cough syrups with codeine (i.e., 175,400 bottles 100ml each).
He added that “The most notable specific seizures and arrests of the command came from the containers: MSCU4581770 and TRHU7968071 from which a combined seizure of Heroin weighing 56.39, which is the highest single seizure of heroin ever recorded in the maritime domain in Nigeria, and cannabis indica weighing 987.9kg called Canadian loud.
“Both containers came from Durban South Africa and were declared as personal effects, and we apprehended 3 suspects in connection with the seizure, all the suspects are still on trial before a federal high court in Lagos.
“The NDLEA Tin can command also made a single seizure of 1,072kg of cannabis indica from the container GAOU6699215 shipped from Montreal Canada and falsely declared as containing merely 3 units of used vehicles.
“Similarly, the command made seizure of 23kg of heroin from a container MSDU5008365 declared as containing personal effects and arrest of 4 suspects in relation to it.
“The Tin can NDLEA Special Area Command remains resolute in its mission to deny criminal elements the ability to exploit our maritime domain for their nefarious activities”.
He also added that “We will continue to work closely with our national and international partners to strengthen interdiction capabilities, share intelligence, and collectively dismantle the intricate networks of drug trafficking organizations.”
“The command will continue to appreciate and commend the tireless efforts of its men and women who have demonstrated unwavering dedication and professionalism in executing the command’s mandate.
“These achievements are a testament to the steadfast commitment of our personnel in safeguarding our maritime borders and protecting our communities from the devastating impact of illicit drugs”.
While delivering a lecture at the event, the Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Florence Ezeonye noted that it is important to invest in sensitization against drug abuse because it has become a great problem to the Nigerian society.
She highlighted ways to enhance drug abuse prevention which include taking effective and practical primary prevention measures that protect children and youth from drug use initiation, providing them with adequate information about the risk of drug abuse, promoting skills and opportunities for healthy live styles and ensuring equal access to education and training.
Also, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu reiterated the Command’s continuous support in the fight against drug trafficking and emphasized the need to support NDLEA in achieving a drug free society.
The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo noted that drug abuse is a global menace that needs to be prevented from spreading its tentacles further.
The 26th of June every year is set aside to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world that is free of drug abuse.
