The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has identified benzodiazepines like rhaphynol, crack cocaine, codeine-based syrups, glue, and rubber solution as most abused drugs in Abuja apart from Cannabis Sativa.
This was disclosed at the public destruction of 24,304kg of assorted forfeited narcotic drugs seized within the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Over a thousand bottles of cough syrups were part of the drug exhibits.
A statement on Friday by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the exercise followed two destruction orders signed by Justices Nnamdi Dimgba and A. Abdulkafarati of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The exhibits with an estimated street value of N250m were jointly set ablaze by local and international collaborators at Lungi barracks along Aso drive in Abuja.
Chairman/Chief Executive, NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.), who described the destruction as symbolic and strategic both to the agency and drug control policies of the government stressed that seized drugs remain a threat until they are destroyed.
He added, “Public destruction of drugs is the climax of operational activities which begin with tracking of suspected drug merchants, drug exhibits, prosecution of drug dealers and forfeiture of the drugs. Until drugs are completely destroyed they remain a threat to societal peace.”
The FCT Minister, Musa Bello, who was the special guest of honour, commended the NDLEA for the seized drugs.
He urged the agency to extend the war on drugs to the grass root and motor parks. The Minister who was represented by the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Council, Abdullahi Adamu, said, the FCT administration would continue to support the fight against drug trafficking in the collective search for a healthy society.
