The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Benue State Command has arrested 251 suspects for various drug-related crimes in 2024.

The State Commander of NDLEA, Esther Musa, made the disclosure to newsmen on Wednesday in Makurdi, the state capital.

While highlighting the achievements of the command from January to December 2024, Musa said that 220 of those suspects were male, while 31 were female.

According to her, 31 of the suspects were convicted to various jail terms, 39 of the cases were dropped, while others were ongoing.

She further said that the command also seized different substances and drug exhibits from various suspects and monetary exhibits.

“Cannabis sativa, popularly called weed, is the highest drug of them all. We were able to arrest one ton of cannabis (175.723 kg).

“The most common drug we have, Tramadol, is 43 kg, was seized and withdrawn from circulation, and also Fitamin 0.27 kg, Diazopharm 4.39 kg, and Codeine syrup 156.1 kg.

“Other items that were recovered within the year were locally made pistols, arms and ammunition, and explosives, which were transferred to the army and police, respectively.

“Our main achievement is centred around the area of arrest and seizures and WADA (War Against Drug Abuse) sensitisation and prosecution.

“WADA is an enlightenment campaign that is championed by the agency to sensitise different target audiences and the populace on the menace and dangers of drug abuse, trafficking, cultivation, and other offences as it leads to substance abuse,” she said.

The commander said that the agency organised 142 different enlightenment programmes predominantly in schools and worship centres.

She reiterated that law enforcement agencies, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders were sensitised about the effects of drugs or substance abuse.

Musa urged the youths to shun any temptation of indulging in drug abuse as it was detrimental to their health and future.