The Niger Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said that it arrested 114 suspects with 517.2kg of illicit drugs from January to December.

The state Commander of NDLEA, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.

"Most of the drugs being abused by the youth in the state are Indian hemp (cannabis) and psychotropic drugs," he said.

Abdul said that 51 suspects aged between 18 and 40 had been jailed by the Federal High Court, while others were still facing trial.

He said the agency also counselled and rehabilitated 69 former drug addicts and reintegrated them into the society within the period. He urged parents, religious leaders and well meaning individuals to assist the agency in the campaign against drug abuse.

The commander appealed to the state government to assist the agency in the area of logistics to enable it to function optimally and maintain its six offices in the state. He, however, commended the state government, the Nigerian Army and the police for their assistance to the agency in the campaign against drug abuse.

NAN