The Delta State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized banned substances valued at N 2 billion within the last one year, the State Commander, Mr. Halilu Hamidu, has disclosed.
Hamidu made the disclosure in Ogwashi-Uku while receiving a management team from the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, led by its Director-General, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, during a working visit to the command.
The State Commander said the seizures reflected the scale of the illicit drug trade and substance abuse challenge confronting the state, noting that several cases involving suspects allegedly engaged in the trafficking of hard drugs and other prohibited substances were currently pending before the courts.
He expressed concern over the involvement of women in drug trafficking, revealing that women constituted a significant proportion of persons arrested in connection with illicit drug activities in the state.
According to him, the development requires a stronger and more coordinated response from government agencies, families, schools, non-governmental organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Hamidu therefore called for sustained collaboration between the NDLEA and the Delta State Government, civil society organisations and other relevant institutions to intensify the campaign against substance abuse and trafficking.
He said collective action remained critical to achieving the objective of a Drug-Free Delta, stressing that the responsibility of tackling the drug menace should not be left to law-enforcement agencies alone.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe commended the NDLEA for its efforts in combating drug trafficking and substance abuse in Delta State.
He also briefed the command on preparations for the second phase of the Drug-Free Delta Campaign, which is being implemented by the state Bureau for Orientation and Communications in collaboration with the NDLEA.
According to him, the second phase of the campaign will be formally flagged off at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, on September 21, 2026, with activities expected to take place across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Oghenesivbe described the campaign as a major public enlightenment and behavioural-change initiative designed to raise awareness of the dangers associated with drug abuse and promote healthier and more responsible choices, particularly among young people.
He said the NDLEA’s Drug Integrity Test initiative should be viewed beyond routine screening, describing it as an important mechanism for the early detection of drug use, intervention, counselling and rehabilitation.
The Bureau chief noted that young people remained particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of substance abuse and therefore required early intervention, guidance and support to prevent drug use from undermining their education, health, relationships and future prospects.
He further said the Drug Integrity Test initiative, alongside the NDLEA’s Visa Clearance programme, would contribute to broader efforts to discourage drug use and trafficking, promote responsible behaviour and protect Nigeria’s international image.
