UN Drug-free Day: 'Nigeria ranks highest in number of drug convicts'

The Niger State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mr Iweajuna Okechukwu  on Friday in Minna, said the country has the highest number of persons serving drugs related  jail terms  worldwide

He stated  this while celebrating the 2015 United Nations (UN) International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, at the Armed Forces remembrance Arcade, 123 Quarters, Minna.

“There is no doubt that as a country, the menace of drug abuse and trafficking is one of the biggest problems staring us in the face today.

“All over the world, Nigerians are notorious for drug trafficking. We have the highest number of traffickers serving jail terms more than any other country in the world,” he said.

He said in Niger State, there was a serious issue of drug abuse especially the prescription drugs and psychotropic substances such as tramadol, rohypnol and diazepam.

Also, the Cross River State command of the NDLEA said it has arrested 185 suspects with drug exhibits.

The state commander of the agency, Mrs Edeh Anthonia, disclosed this during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

She said the suspects were arrested with drug exhibits totaling 1.4 tonnes of cannabis sativa, 6.4035kg of cocaine and 18 grammes of heroin.

The NDLEA commander also disclosed that the drug seized had a street value of over N1.1 million.

According to her, the arrested suspects include 175 male and 10 females.

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