NDLEA Tin Can Command Harps On Continuous Stakeholders Collaboration To Break Cycle Of Drug Abuse

By Roland Ekama 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Tin Can Island Port Command has harped for the continuous collaboration among government agencies and other relevant stakeholders at the nation’s seaports.

NDLEA Commander, Tin Can Island Port, Special Area Command, Muhammed Abubakar disclosed this on Wednesday in Lagos, as part of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking joint Grand Final.

The Commandant stated that the continuous inter-agencies collaboration has helped the agency in breaking the cycle of drug abuse and saving many lives.

Abubakar said the theme for the year teaches countries the importance of understanding that effective drug policies need to be grounded in science, research, compassion, and full respect for human rights.

Abubakar, said since the beginning of 2024, the NDLEA Special Area Command Tincan has undertaken a series of robust operations and interventions that have significantly disrupted the activities of drug trafficking syndicates operating along the coastlines and maritime corridors.

Highlighting some the achievements recorded for 2024, he disclosed that a total of 21 arrests of suspected drug traffickers out of which 14 were indicted and currently on trial before a federal high court in Lagos.

He noted that seizure of approximately 28,622.389 kilograms of various illicit drugs, including cannabis indica or Canadian loud weighing 2, 232.999 kilograms, which is an increase of 261.9% of the total seizures recorded by the command last year.
Included also is seizure of Heroin weighing 79.39 kilograms, and 26,310 kilograms of Barcadin cough syrups with codeine (i.e., 175,400 bottles 100ml each).

Included also is monetary exhibit of six million naira being a bribe money offered by suspect to thwart the seizure of 7.5 kg of Canadian loud from a container MSMU 7294325.

 

He added that “The most notable specific seizures and arrests of the command came from the containers: MSCU4581770 and TRHU7968071 from which a combined seizure of Heroin weighing 56.39, which is the highest single seizure of heroin ever recorded in the maritime domain in Nigeria, and cannabis indica weighing 987.9kg called Canadian loud.

“Both containers came from Durban South Africa and were declared as personal effects, and we apprehended 3 suspects in connection with the seizure, all the suspects are still on trial before a federal high court in Lagos.

“The NDLEA Tin can command also made a single seizure of 1,072kg of cannabis indica from the container GAOU6699215 shipped from Montreal Canada and falsely declared as containing merely 3 units of used vehicles.

“Similarly, the command made seizure of 23kg of heroin from a container MSDU5008365 declared as containing personal effects and arrest of 4 suspects in relation to it.

“The Tin can NDLEA Special Area Command remains resolute in its mission to deny criminal elements the ability to exploit our maritime domain for their nefarious activities,” Commander Abubakar said

Continuing, he said “We will continue to work closely with our national and international partners to strengthen interdiction capabilities, share intelligence, and collectively dismantle the intricate networks of drug trafficking organizations.”

“The command will continue to appreciate and commend the tireless efforts of its men and women who have demonstrated unwavering dedication and professionalism in executing the command’s mandate.

“These achievements are a testament to the steadfast commitment of our personnel in safeguarding our maritime borders and protecting our communities from the devastating impact of illicit drugs,”

He stressed the need for drug abuse prevention which resonates with this year’s theme through continuous creation of awareness, public education against Illicit drug trafficking which the agency achieves through the War Against Drug Trafficking (WADA) initiative of the Chairman Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brigadier General Babar Marwa.

While delivering a lecture at the event, the Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Florence Ezeonye noted that it is important to invest in sensitization against drug abuse because it has become a great problem to the Nigerian society.

She highlighted ways to enhance drug abuse prevention which include; taking effective and practical primary prevention measures that protect children and youth from drug use initiation, providing them with adequate information about the risk of drug abuse, promoting skills and opportunities for healthy lives styles and ensuring equal access to education and training.

She accentuated the need to fill all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions with Drug Education Curriculum development studies in collaboration with NDLEA and ministries of health and education to prevent the spread of drug abuse among Nigerians.

The 26th of June is a day set aside to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world that is free of drug abuse.

The theme for this year is “The evidence is clear: invest in prevention”.

Also, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu reiterated the Command’s continuous support in the fight against drug trafficking and emphasized the need to support NDLEA in achieving a drug free society.

The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo noted that drug abuse is a global menace that needs to be prevented from spreading its tentacles further.

He stressed the need to get the right narrative on the dangers of drug abuse and disseminate it to the youths.

 

 

 

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