The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted 179.090 kilograms of various hard drugs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) within the first week of October.

FCT commander Lawan Hamisu told NAN in Abuja that the seizure did not include codeine and other liquid drugs. 

Marijuana, cocaine and Rohypnol were ‘found’ on the suspects in a coordinated raid across the Nigerian capital, he said.

Operatives also arrested 13 suspects and five users of hard drugs, all men.

The suspects would be referred for counselling to rehabilitate and get them off the hook.

About  137 kilogrammes of various drugs were seized in September, which makes the latest seizures another cause for concern.

Some of the places raided were Karu Abattoir, Area One, Wuse Zone 4  and Duala Street, Wuse Zone 5. Some of the suspects pleaded not guilty, saying it was their first time of engaging in hard drugs.

The suspects blamed the government for failing to make jobs easier for the people, which led them into selling cannabis.

Drugs use, once uncommon, has become a major challenge in Nigeria in recent years, as poverty and unemployment continue to push people into ignoble alternatives.

Although federal health authorities have restricted or placed an outright ban on most of these drugs for years, they have remained in the market and are easily accessible to willing traders and buyers.