The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested 44 drug suspects in mop up operations it carried in Oyo and Kogi States.
While 20 of the drug suspects were arrested in Oyo State, 24 were arrested in Kogi State.
It said the mop up operations was in preparation for the inauguration of the new administration on May 29.
Oyo State Commander of the NDLEA, Olayinka Joe-Fadile, told newsmen in Ibadan on Saturday that the the 20 suspects comprised of 18 males and two females who were primarily drug users.
He said 2.96kg of cannabis sativa was seized during the operation.
Joe-Fadile explained that the command increased its mop-up operations in response to a directive from the Chairman of the NDLEA, retired Brig-General Buba Marwa, to carry out thorough intelligence mop-up operations to ensure the safety of all states in preparation for the inauguration.
“Drugs are a catalyst for every violent and nonviolent crime, as long as we can get drugs off the streets, we can assure the populists that May 29 will be as peaceful as possible.
“We intend to keep as many arrested suspects as possible and release them back to society after the May 29 inauguration through social reintegration procedures, ” he said.
In Kogi State ,the NDLEA Commander, Abdulkadir Fakai-Abdullahi, told newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday that 24 suspects were arrested during the mop up opeartion.
Fakai-Abdullahi, explained that the arrests were sequel to the on going NDLEA Mop up exercise as directed by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer/ CEO, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) for a total clamp down on drug peddlers and users across the country.
“The NDLEA Command here in Kogi has commenced and intensified raids across the state, particularly at drug joints and spots.
“So far, 24 suspects have successfully been arrested at different locations with various quantities of drugs and psychotropic substances.
“We want to sound a serious warning to both drug dealers and users that we shall continue to focus our flash lights on all nooks and crannies of the state to rid it of their Nefarious activities, ” he warned.
He maintained that there would be no hiding place for drug traffickers in the state and so asked them to either stop, relocate or get caught by the arm of the law.
Fakai-Abdullahi said that the mop up exercise was aimed at “taking out miscreants who use drugs to engage in unholy activities.”
He further said that the exercise being enforced in most states and the FCT would be intensified up to the inauguration of the new administration on May 29.(NAN/vitalnewsngr.com)
