Ohida, a Commander of Narcotics, said that the rehabilitated persons were part of 38 drug users counselled by the command within the period under review.

He also said that the command arrested 246 suspects, seized 631.61kg of hard drugs including cannabis sativa, metamphetamine, tramadol and others.

 “In line with our mandate, we took 49 cases to court and secured 19 convictions,” he said.

He thanked Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s wife, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, for renovating the command’s rehabilitation facility and called for more support from government, especially in the area of provision of operational vehicles.

The commander also thanked the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa for his logistics, moral and other support, which have aided the command’s operations.

Speaking, Gov. Uzodimma, represented by his Special Adviser on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, Chief Ezechukwu Obonna, said that the state government, alongside other things, donated Hilux vans to the command in support of their efforts.

The commander called for all hands to be on deck to enable the state tackle the menace of drug abuse squarely.

He, however, advised drug users and traffickers to desist forthwith, adding that negative consequences of drug abuse are “avoidable” and a drug free society is possible”.

“We must report drug traffickers, they are taking away the future of our youths and we must not allow them,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the week-long commemoration will feature a quiz competition for students, a road walk with sister security agencies, Jumaat prayers, a church service and the grand finale on June 26. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Benson Iziama