OGUN NDLEA ARRESTS 675 SUSPECTS, SECURES 221 CONVICTIONS IN 2024

Read Time:1 Minute, 30 Second

The Ogun State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported the arrest of at least 675 suspects and the conviction of 221 individuals for drug trafficking and abuse in 2024.

In addition to the arrests, the command seized 537.81 liters of liquid-based substances of abuse and 9.7 tonnes of various hard drugs.

State Commander Tijjani Rabe made the announcement on Tuesday at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta, the state capital.

He expressed concern over the rise in drug abuse and illegal trafficking, noting a significant increase in drug influx and consumption during the ember months, coinciding with the return of people and merchants for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

In response, the command launched “Operation Close The Gate,” aimed at blocking all access roads into the state, which led to the seizure of 1.3 tonnes of cannabis sativa and multiple arrests.

Rabe emphasized that the command not only focused on arrests but also intensified efforts to combat the issue through awareness and sensitization campaigns.

He revealed that from January to December 2024, the command reached approximately 27,648 individuals across 128 locations, including government offices, schools, and faith-based organizations.

The commander said, “Within the year 2024, we’ve been able to arrest 675 suspects and seized 9.7 tons of variety of hard drugs.

“We’ve also succeeded in seizing 537.81 liters of liquid based substances of abuse.

“In terms of prosecution, we have prosecuted a number of people and we have succeeded in convicting a total number of 221 suspects; this is the second in all the state commands of NDLEA in Nigeria.

“We are led by one state command which is the first that has recorded 261 and Ogun State is the second with 221 convictions,”.