The Kebbi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says the state has increasingly become a route for drug and narcotics trafficking because of its porous borders.
The NDLEA carried out a large destruction exercise on Saturday, burning seized substances in what officials described as the first event of its kind in the state.
The Commander of NDLEA, Kebbi State Command, Rabiu Abdullahi Sokoto, said the operation destroyed no fewer than 25,381.495 kilograms of drugs, which he said were worth several billions of naira by street value.
The commander stated that the destruction was meant to warn traffickers and their sponsors that Kebbi was not open for illicit operations.
“I want to acknowledge the strategic location of Kebbi State which unfortunately has made it a conduit for drugs trafficking, our State porous borders with Niger Republic to North and Benin Republic to the West have increased the inflow of illicit substances into our Nation through the State.” he said.
Representing the Agency’s Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), the Director of Administration, Muhammad Usman, gave details of the exhibits destroyed.
He said the haul included Cannabis Sativa weighing 16,951.105 kgs, Cocaine 0.027 kgs, Methamphetamine 0.0036 kgs, Akuskura 336.381 kgs, and Tramadol and other psychotropics totaling 8,093.381 kgs — a combined total of 25,381.495 kgs.
Officials said the public destruction is meant to demonstrate the agency’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking in the state and to deter would-be traffickers.
“The destruction of these confiscated drugs exhibits stands as a clear testament to our resolve to build a drug free society, as we remain firmly committed to eradicating this scourge from our communities.” he said.
The NDLEA urged residents to remain vigilant and to continue providing information to security agencies to help stem cross-border smuggling. The exercise was attended by NDLEA officers and representatives from local security and the community.
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