The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed 16,142 kilogrammes of seized illicit drugs in Bauchi State.
The seized drugs include tramadol, Rohypnol, Diazepam, Exol-5, cannabis sativa and cough syrups with codeine.
The breakdown of the drugs that were destroyed includes cannabis, 6,666.852kg; cough syrup containing codeine, 7,011.865kg; and tramadol, 1,883.914kg.
The last public destruction of seized illicit drugs in Bauchi State was in 2010, Northern City News learnt.
Speaking on the development on Thursday, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah, explained that he was frightened that such quantity of drugs could be seized compared to the population of the state.
He said the agency had increased the tempo of destroying exhibits to caution drug merchants, adding that the public destruction of exhibits was a triumph over evil.
Abdallah, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Oluruntunba, said, “In our operation in the North-East, we have seen drugs as energizer of insurgency and terrorism. The military has continued to seize various types of drugs in many of the terrorist camps they have been taking over. Drugs and violence are mutually inclusive and reinforcing.
“The prevalence of pharmaceutical drugs of prescription and the rampancy of abuse among the youth and women is worrisome. While these drugs may appear less injurious, they are as harmful as cocaine, heroin and cannabis sativa.”
He noted that the NDLEA and Bauchi State had enjoyed long-standing cooperation in addressing the menace of drugs, adding that the state government had been supportive of the agency’s onslaught on drug criminals.
The NDLEA commander in the state, Segun Oke, lamented that illicit drugs were the root causes of crimes in the society.
He solicited the support of key stakeholders in the war against drug abuse and trafficking.
In his remarks, Governor Bala Mohammed said the destruction of the illicit drugs in the state should serve as a lesson to the dealers who had invested heavily in the illegitimate business.
He said, “No nation is immune to the devastating problem of drug abuse and trafficking. As a government, we must, therefore, continue to demonstrate concern over the problem of drug-related crimes.”
The governor commended the NDLEA for collaborating with the judiciary to organise the public destruction of the illicit drugs, saying it would serve as a deterrent to those involved in the illegal business.
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