The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said on Tuesday that for different drug-related offences in the past two years, it has arrested 18,940 suspects.
Chairman of the agency, Mohammed Buba-Marwa, said this in Yola while being conferred an award by the Adamawa Honours Society in recognition of his outstanding service to the nation.
Buba-Marwa disclosed that the agency secured 3,324 convictions, siezed 5.4 kilogramme of different control drugs, narcotic substances and rehabilitated 3,326 drug abusers within the period.
He urged parents, communities and religious leaders to increase campaigns to tame the menace, saying, “drugs do not discriminate against tribe, religion or region”.
Meanwhile he revealed that the agency recently acquired drug and lie test kits, adding that intending couples should be tested for drug use before marriage.
“Drug tests will determine the innocence or otherwise of couples and save marital relationships from collapse due to drug abuse,” he said.
He maintained the NDLEA is working to achieve a reduction in the supply and demand for drugs, stressing that this would significantly add value to the fight against the trend.
Marwa, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the agency in the fight against illicit drugs, adding,” I also commend the Adamawa House of Assembly for enacting laws against drug-related offences”.
He said the award would encourage him to do more and commended the organisers for finding him worthy of the award.
