The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Adamawa State command, has arrested 583 suspects and intercepted and removed five tonnes of various illicit drugs from circulation.

Aliyu Abubakar, the NDLEA commander in Adamawa, disclosed this at an event to commemorate the United Nations’ 2026 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Yola on Friday.

The theme for the 2026 celebration of the day is “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses”

The commander, who gave stewardship of the command between June 2025 and June 2026, said that as part of the successes recorded, the command secured convictions of 270 suspects in the state.

Mr Abubakar also said that the substances seized included tramadol, diazepam, and codeine weighing 2,451.684 kg; cannabis sativa, 2,925.089 kg; and methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice”, 736 grammes.

He added that the command also destroyed 13 hectares of cannabis farms in the Mayo-Belwa and Mubi-South local government areas.

“Within the period under review, the command successfully secured the convictions of 270 drug suspects, including two females, to various terms of imprisonment,” the commander said.

Mr Abubakar added that 196 other cases were at various stages of prosecution before the Federal High Court, Yola Division.

In his presentation, Stephen John, a consultant with the United Nations Office for Project Services, Geneva, said that the problem of drug abuse was a serious public health problem.

“And drug abuse has been a cause of criminal offences: theft, burglary, sex work, and shoplifting, among others,” the consultant said.

He advised the government at all levels to invest in the capacity building of NDLEA personnel to identify and contain innovative approaches that promote drug and substance abuse.

“Strengthen laws and enforcement against illicit drug trafficking and promote compassion-centred policies prioritising human rights, as well as design interventions that strategically target the sources of drugs,” Mr John said.

Also, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, represented by the commissioner for culture and tourism, Aloysius Baba-Doke, appreciated NDLEA and assured the government’s continued support in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

He also tasked stakeholders to double their efforts in the fight against drug abuse, as it’s everybody’s responsibility.

Traditional and religious leaders in attendance at the event appreciated the NDLEA’s fight against drug abuse in the state and country.

(NAN)