It is a great pleasure for me to be with you this morning for this Press Briefing. The briefing is actually an integral part of the just concluded special operation launched by the Command to curtail the disturbing menace of illicit drug abuse and trafficking in the Federal Capital Territory. The special operation is consistent with the strong determination of the leadership of Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd) to suppress the disturbing drug menace not only in the FCT but in the entire Country.
I am happy to inform you this morning that residents of the Federal Capital Territory can now heave a sigh of relief from the activities of drug criminals. For one month running, from September 1-30, 2018, this Command along with other FCT Commands of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) and the Department of State Service (DSS) raided the illicit drug black spots in the FCT, crippling the criminal drug enterprise in the Abuja metropolis.
The operation, code named “Operation Shara” led to the arrest of 147 drug suspects and users. Total drug seizures are 496 kilograms of Cannabis sativa and 63 cartons of Cough Syrup with Codeine which has been banned from production in the country. Othe seizures include Cocaine, Rhophynol (Roche), Tramadol, Diazepam and Exol.
Investigation also led to the recovery of 1, 908, 400 fake US Dollars belonging to one Solomon Abu, currently at large, at the gate house of IBB International Golf Club. The money has been transferred to the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
Some of the kingpins arrested in connection with the drugs are Uba Clifford, Dauda Elisha, AbubakarAudu and Mohammed Adamu. The operations were carried out in Lokogoma, Torabora, Garki, Abattoir Karu, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse Zone 4, Ademola Adetokumbo Street, Wuse II and Mpappe, among other places.
The exercise was applauded by residents of the areas and business owners admitted that business activities and night life in the areas have improved tremendously. Legitimate activities now go on without fear of molestation. I would like to assure you of the sustainability of this onslaught. We will continue to put the drug criminals under check with special operations at regular intervals in addition to our routine operational activities.
Permit me to express our profound appreciation to the Honorable Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello for his passionate commitment to riding the FCT of the drug malady. The Minister was very supportive in making sure that this operation was a success. I would also like to thank sister agencies that assisted us in this special operation.
We appeal to members of the public to assist the Agency with useful information on drug activities to curb the drug menace in the FCT. The NDLEA will not relent in her mandate of reducing the drug scourge in the country.
Signed: Chinyere Obijuru (FSI) CN Commander NDLEA.
