The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it nabbed 18,940 people for drug-related offences in the last two years but could only successfully prosecute 3,324.

NDLEA boss Mohammed Buba Marwa disclosed this in Yola on Tuesday while receiving an “award of excellence”. The award was given to him by the Adamawa Honours Society (AHS).

He said within the period, the agency had secured 3,324 convictions, seized 5.4kg of different control drugs and narcotic substances and rehabilitated 3,326 drug abusers.

Mr Marwa called on parents, community and religious leaders to intensify efforts in helping NDLEA to tame the tide of the menace, saying, “drugs do not discriminate against tribe, religion or region.”

The NDLEA chief said the agency had recently acquired drug and lie testing kits, adding that intending couples should be tested for drug use before they get married.

“Drug tests would determine the innocence or otherwise of couples, and it will save marital relationships from collapse due to abuse of drugs,” he said.

According to him, the NDLEA is working to reduce drug supply and demand, stressing that this would greatly add value to the fight against the trend.

Mr Marwa commended President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the NDLEA in the fight against illicit drugs. 

“I also commend the Adamawa House of Assembly for enacting laws against drug-related offences,” stated the former Lagos military governor.

(NAN)