The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA on Thursday in Lagos destroyed 560 Kgs of drug seized from drug barons.

Its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, who supervised the destruction, warned drug barons against pushing illicit drugs and warned of dire consequences for anyone caught.

Marwa said the drugs were seized by the Seme Area Command and the Lagos State Command of NDLEA, adding that some were also from the central exhibit storage facility.

He said some of the drugs were seized between from 2019 to July 2022.

“This exercise complies with Section 3 Sub-section 1 of the NDLEA Act which mandates the agency to destroy seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,” he said.

Among drugs destroyed were cannabis, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

Others included Tramadol, Ephedrine, Codeine cough syrup, khat and psychotropic drugs.

Marwa said the consignment was the largest illicit drugs destruction since the inception of NDLEA, urging drug barons to seek alternative jobs.

He expressed satisfaction at the seizures which he attributed to lots of hardwork by personnel of the agency.

“This hardwork also culminated in the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the offenders in court.

“Since January 2021, over 17,647 drug offenders were arrested out of which 2,369 offenders were convicted.

“Today is yet another indication that officers and men of the agency are not relenting in the pursuit of the agency’s mandate to make Nigeria safe from the drug scourge.”

He vowed that the NDLEA would continue to explore legal ways to enforce the drug problem in the country

“There is no better time than now to adopt evidence-based programmes and policies to counter the destructive impact of the drug scourge which has pervaded our society in the past few years,” Marwa said

He earlier paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, in Lagos where he said Lagos has recorded thirty-three per cent in drug abuse cases in the country.

“I implore his Royal Majesty, Akran of Badagry, to set up a committee on war against drug abuse, comprising his chiefs, distinguished sons and daughters of the land.

“In every community you know there are corners where they are selling drugs, you will report it to the agency.

“Most of the youth on drugs need help; your report will help the agency to assist rehabilitate these youths,” he said.

He commended the efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos in assisting the agency on war against drug abuse.

“I want to recognise the efforts of Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos, for joining the agency in fighting war against drug abuse.

“I also appreciate the Akran of Badagry and his chiefs for all their support given to my personnel in the fight against drug abuse.

“Traditional institutions are highly respected in Nigeria and they are very important stakeholders in the advocacy against drug abuse,” he said.

Responding, the Akran promised to continue to support the agency against drug abuse.

The traditional ruler commended the former military governor of Lagos State for fighting drug abuse without compromising.

He prayed that God will continue to guide him in his efforts to rid the country of drug trafficking.

The NDLEA Directors, Zonal Commanders, Commanding Officer of 243 Battalion Barracks, Ibereko, and other security agencies in Badagry were among his entourage to the Akran’s palace.

In a remark, the representative of the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi 1, Chief Tunde Giro, commended the agency for tackling the menace of drugs trafficking in the country.

He promised that traditional chiefs would collaborate with the agency to fight the drugs menace in Badagry.