NDLEA arrests 6, seizes 104 kg of Indian hemp in Kogi

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kogi State says it has arrested six persons and seized 104.150 kg of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp between October 25 and Saturday.

The Commander of NDLEA in Kogi State, Alhaji Idris Bello, said this while parading the suspects and the illicit substances on Tuesday in Lokoja, the state capital.

He said the arrests and seizures were made in different locations in the state.

Bello said that a 65-year-old from Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State was arrested with 90.7 kg of the illegal substance on the Okene-Lokoja highway on October 25.

He said another 19-year-old from Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State was arrested with 400 grams of Indian hemp and a bottle of banned codeine cough syrup at Central Hotel in Lokoja on November 13.

Two suspects, both aged 25 and from Kano, were arrested on November 16 at Kasuwan-Ruwa area of Lokoja with 500 grams of Indian hemp.

A 19-year-old Nigeriene and 36-year-old Nigerian were also arrested on the Okene-Lokoja highway with 11.6 kg of Indian hemp and 80 grams of Tramadol.

The sixth suspect, a 36-year-old, was also caught with 450 grams of Indian hemp.

Bello said the suspects would be prosecuted after due investigation, adding that the command would continue to map out strategies to ensure that the rate of illicit drugs in circulation was reduced.

The commander urged parents and guardians to be alive to their responsibility by monitoring the activities of their children and wards.

He also urged parents to send in their children and wards suspected to be involved in the use of hard drugs for counselling and rehabilitation.

The NDLEA boss commended Governor Yahaya Bello for his efforts at providing a rehabilitation centre for the command.