By SundiataPOST, Abuja
No fewer than 1,035 persons were apprehended for drug-related offences by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) between 2011 and 2013, an official said on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti.
The agency’s Ekiti State Commander, Mr Bamidele Akingbade, made the disclosure while speaking at the monthly meeting of the Forum of Heads of Federal Establishments, Ekiti chapter.
He expressed regrets that most of those involved were Ekiti indigenes, who were either youths, students or cultists.
“The Command at the same period seized and confiscated 15 tonnes and also discovered and consequently destroyed a total of 3,610 acres of hemp farmlands from across the state.
“Similarly, over 10 tonnes of hard drugs seized from suspected drug dealers and their agents were equally burnt during series of exhibit-destruction exercises,’’ the commander said.
Akingbade, who said the feat recorded by the Command was made possible through relentless collaboration with concerned informants, revealed that a total of 172 cases were tried and prosecuted.
He said the command was able to secure 156 convictions out of the 172 cases.
The NDLEA Commander also disclosed that only one out of all the cases was discharged and acquitted, while 15 cases were currently pending at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti.
