The Kogi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) has taken into custody three criminals and destroyed seven hectares of hemp farms.
This was announced in Lokoja on Wednesday by Umar Yahuza, the State NDLEA Commander.
He said that four hectares were found in Maikeke Village in the state’s Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, and three hectares were found in Ikeja Forest.
Yahuza reported that the proprietor of the four-acre hemp field managed to flee while three suspects were apprehended in the Ikeja Forest during the operation.
He added that under the agency’s zero-tolerance policy for illegal narcotics in the Kogi East axis, a breakthrough was made in less than a week.
“The discoveries followed intelligence reports received from individuals. Our officers and men swooped on the two farms on Aug. 9 and Aug. 15 respectively.
“We are on the trail of the suspect who escaped to ensure he’s arrested and prosecuted. Their activities in the communities are destroying the lives of citizens.
“NDLEA is leaving nothing to chance in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the state.
“We are planning to search every nook and cranny of Kogi to ensure that the traffickers and comments of hard drugs are arrested and brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.
The commander made a plea to the public to support the agency in its battle against the trafficking and use of illegal substances, which were killing off a large number of young people.