Over 1000kg of drugs seized within five months in Jos – NDLEA

Mr Umar Yahuza, Plateau Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has said that the agency has seized over 1000 kilograms since his resumption in the state four months ago.

He made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning on Tuesday in Jos.

Yahuza, whose visit to the Ministry was to seek partnership and support, recounted some of his achievements to include some major arrests and convictions of drugs dealers in the State and also seizures of hard drugs.

“I arrived here last year November 22 precisely and since then, we have been working to see how we can sanitise the state especially the Jos metropolis where most of the drug activities are being carried out.

“From November 2021 to date, we have seized drugs of over one tonne which is in circulation.

“And from January this year to yesterday, we have succeeded in convicting over 40 drug dealers at the Federal High Court here in Jos.

“The two most notorious drug, cocaine dealers operating in Jos have been arrested and they are in prison already.”

Yahuza said the Agency has been carrying out activities to ensure that drug and all its attendant forms of abuse are dealt with in the State.

“We have been carrying out public enlightenment programmes because the job is that of a carrot and stick approach.

“While we arrest and send the main dealers to prison, our youths who abuse or use drugs illegally, need care.

“As such, you need to reach out to them, talk to them so that some of them that have not started practising and have not indulged themselves into drug trafficking, we can talk to them, tell them the dangers of this thing so that they don’t

even go near it.

“And those who are on it, but they have not gone deep you can call their attention, so that they can abstain and where they need care, you give them.

“For those who are deep into it, the drug addicts, those ones need serious medical attention.

“Because you see if you don’t have the buyer of hard drugs, you wont have the seller.

” The person who sells hard drugs. If you cannot have customers. He will fold up the business.”

Yahuza said that the required partnership was a key element to put an end to the use and abuse of hard drugs in the society.

“And that is why we are reaching out to opinion leaders, and all stakeholder so we can all come together and see how we can enlighten people about the effects of drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking.”

Yahuza added that another factor responsible for the visit is the need for land to establish a barracks for the personnel of the agency as they are exposed to all sorts of dangers living among residents in the state.

He added that the Federal Government had approved the construction of barracks in the 36 States of the Federation and he hoped with the cooperation of the Ministry of lands, Plateau will be one of the beneficiaries.

“And again, another important issue is that Plateau State is opportuned we have approval from our National Headquarters to seek for land in Plateau State.

“Because of the nature of our jobs, there are cases of threats, and some of our personnel are living in neighbourhoods.

“So the Federal Government decided to construct barracks for us in all the 36 States of the Federation.

” But then we’ve been asked to liaise with the Ministry to secure alliances so that as soon as possible we can have this barrack.

“So we want to plead with you honourable Commissioner to have this land as soon as possible so that Plateau State will be one of the first seven states where the construction will start,” he said.

And for his part, the State’s Commisioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Mr Yakubu Datti, welcomed the Agency and commended them for their tireless efforts at combatting crime.

Datti added that though they have several requests from other Federal parastatals, NDLEA would be given priority concerning a land to build their barracks.

“Indeed your coming and request in the issue of land to be able to build a barrack, will be given priority.”

The Commissioner who emphasised on some of the things the Current administration is doing in the State said the Plateau Government has shown that it is accommodating to everyone hence the guarantee that the agency would be given prompt response on their request.

“As I speak with you, we have requests from more than seven Federal Government Agencies both for land for offices or barracks in Plateau State.

“And that is only possible because since the coming of the administration of Right Honourable Simon Lalong, he has embarked on policies that build peace and confidence unlike in the past, where Federal Agencies are relocating to other states.

“That is why we are happy that with your coming its also another demonstration that what the Governor is doing is yielding response.

“And I assure you in line with that policy, we are going to accelerate your demands and ensure that you have an appropriate place for you,” he said.(NAN)