By Ifeanyi Omenogor
The Delta State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Dr Halilu Hamidu, has warned that drug abuse poses a serious threat to societal progress, community safety, and the overall development of the state.
Hamidu made the statement during a press briefing at his office in Ogwashi-Uku, where he outlined the command’s activities and achievements in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
According to him, the harmful effects of drug abuse are the main reason the NDLEA has continued to prioritise the fight against illicit drugs in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. He said the command has strengthened its operational framework to combat drug trafficking, disrupt distribution networks, and reduce the demand for illicit substances.
The NDLEA commander explained that the command’s interventions are structured around supply reduction and demand reduction strategies. Supply reduction involves enforcement actions such as arrests, dismantling of drug trafficking routes, seizure of illicit drugs, and prosecution of offenders.
On demand reduction, Hamidu said the command focuses on sustained counselling services, rehabilitation programmes, advocacy campaigns, and community-level sensitisation. He added that preventive measures and care remain the cornerstone of the NDLEA’s demand reduction strategy, ensuring that treatment, awareness, and behavioural change work hand in hand with enforcement efforts.
Despite various operational challenges throughout the year, Hamidu said the Delta State Command recorded significant achievements across all operational fronts.
He listed major drug seizures to include 1,750 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, 310.6 grams of Cannabis Sativa seeds, 224.65 grams of cocaine, 32.3 grams of heroin, and 800.8 grams of methamphetamine.
Other seized substances include 311.9 kilograms of Tramadol, 9.04 kilograms of Swinol/Rohypnol, 20.01 kilograms of Diazepam, 166 kilograms of Exol, 2.1 kilograms of Molly, 6.1 kilograms of Hypnox, and 13 grams of Cocodamol.
In total, the command seized 2,265 kilograms of dry exhibits. Liquid seizures included 657.5 litres of codeine, 50.3 litres of a mixture of Cannabis Sativa and gin, 6.6 litres of Pentazocine, and 0.07 litres of Diazepam injection, bringing the total liquid exhibits to 714.4 litres.
Hamidu said the seized drugs are estimated to have a street value of about ₦3 billion.
He further disclosed that the command secured 226 convictions, with 189 cases still pending, from January 2025 to date at the Federal High Courts in Asaba and Warri.
The NDLEA boss also revealed that intensified operations led to the discovery and destruction of 10.2 hectares of Cannabis Sativa farmland at Emu-Obiogo community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, as well as the destruction of another 50 hectares of Cannabis Sativa farms at Inam-Abbi in the same local government area on February 27, 2025.
According to him, the command, in partnership with the State Drug Control Committee (SDCC), has strengthened youth-focused drug education through the establishment of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs across the state.
He said the command’s sensitisation campaigns also extended to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, tertiary institutions, religious organisations, workplaces, and various community gatherings.
Hamidu further disclosed that on December 6, 2025, acting on intelligence, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse at Oko Market in Asaba, where a large quantity of illicit drugs was stored for distribution. Items recovered during the raid included Tramadol, Rohypnol, Hypnox, Diazepam, Exonol-5, Codeine, and other dangerous substances in large quantities.
He acknowledged the support of the Delta State Government, the military, sister law enforcement agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies, educational institutions, media partners, youth associations, non-governmental organisations, and civil society groups.
Hamidu added that under the leadership and national direction of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), the fight against drug abuse and trafficking continues to gain momentum nationwide.
