The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),  Seme Special Area Command, Badagry, on Friday, said it arrested 163 suspected drug dealers between Jan and May this year.

Abubakar Wada, Zonal Commander, NDLEA, Seme Special Area Command, disclosed this during a press briefing in Badagry.

The briefing was organised in commemoration of the 2023 United Nations International Day against drug abuse and drug trafficking.

The theme of the event was: “People First: Stop Stigma, and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention’.

According to the commander, the suspects comprise 139 males and 24 females.

He also said that the command seized different illicit drugs weighing 354.6286kgs during the period.

“The command also counselled 138 persons who used drugs,” he said.

He said the command secured convictions of 25 drug offenders during the period.

Mr Wada said the drugs commonly abused in the zone  included cannabis, tramadol, methamphetamine, diazepam and codeine.

The commander appealed to government, community leaders, religious leaders and individuals to join the NDLEA in the fight against  drug abuse in the society.

Mr Wada said the agency was also collaborating with security agencies and non-governmental organisations to organisé programmes on the menace of drug abuse.

In his remarks, Pastor Sunday Hunyinbo, Chairman, Badagry chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria said the christian community was ready to collaborate with the  agency to help bring down the high rate of drug abuse in the society.

He commended NDLEA for the successes recorded so far in the fight against drug  abuse and illicit drug  trafficking in the country. 

(NAN)