In the last 10 months, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 2.3 million kilograms of illicit drugs.

The value of the seized illicit drugs is put at N120 billion.

Chairman of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), made the disclosure when he visited Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau in Jos on Tuesday.

The NDLEA boss also said that the agency had arrested, prosecuted and secured conviction of more than 500 drugs dealers and consumers in the period under review.

The chairman, who decried the prevalence of drug abuse, particularly among youths, attributed insecurity currently facing the nation to the menace.

“The prevalence of drug abuse in Nigeria is alarming and we need drastic measures to stem the tide.

“From January till date, we have seized 2.3 million kilograms of hard drugs worth N120 billion

“We have also arrested, prosecuted and jailed 500 drug barons in the period under review,” he said.

Marwa assured that the agency would continue to clamp down on drug traffickers, saying: “when we make drugs unavailable, it will naturally slow down consumption.”

Responding, Lalong thanked Marwa for the visit and commended him for his efforts toward curbing drug abuse.