NDLEA seizes 12,611kg of illicit drugs, arrests 1,887 suspects in Kano
Story from Shafa’atu DAUDA, Kano
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano State Command says it has seized 12,611.656kg worth of illicit drugs and arrested 1,887 suspects from July 2021 to June 2022.
The state commander of the agency, Abubakar Idris Ahmad, made this known on Friday when addressing journalists as part of the activities to mark this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in Kano.
He said the United Nations reserved every June 26 as International Day Against Drug Trafficking in collaboration with member states to express its determination to strengthen actions and cooperation to achieve the goal of a society free from drug abuse.
“As a command, Kano State joined other NDLEA formations in the country to commemorate this very important day. NDLEA as an Agency with the mandate to curtail illicit production, importation, exportation, sale and trafficking of psychoactive substances in Nigeria is saddled with this responsibility”, he said.
According to Idris, the purpose of the day is to raise awareness among citizens about the drug abuse and trafficking menace in society.
The commander pointed out that the theme of this year is ‘Addressing Drug Challenges in the Health and Humanitarian Crises’, and maintained that the event is seeking to lay emphasis on the need to create awareness of the dangers inherent in drug abuse and trafficking as it relates to humanitarian crises.
Idris said, “With the introduction of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer last year, NDLEA has been on the government, international organisations, civil societies and all relevant stakeholders to take action to protect people.”
He stated that the Agency in Kano never relent to ensure it curbs the abuse through prevention, counselling and rehabilitation, noting that it has been focusing on cutting off the source of supply which has led to several arrests and prosecutions.
Idris further stated that within the short stings of his stewardship, four cannabis farms were discovered and destroyed in the state.
He identified the farms and their location as Fari Village of Dawakin Kudu LGA, Yar Bundu Village of Bichi LGA, Kiru LGA, Mantau Forest Danbatta LGA and Nassarawa Gwarzo LGA.
The Commander explained that the Agency within the period in review secured the conviction against one Salisu Ya’u who was sentenced to life imprisonment for trafficking Pentazocine.
He further explained that within the period in review a total of 12,611.656kg of illicit drugs were seized.
“The drugs were made up 9,735.004 kg of Cannabis sativa, 2,875.223kg of Psychotropic substances, 1.123kg of cocaine and 0.128kg of heroin.
“A total of 1,887 persons, comprising (1,465 males and 442 females) between the ages of 18 to 35 were arrested.
“One hundred and eighty-five persons were arraigned in court with seventy-six convictions (70 males and 6 females) secured, while one hundred and nine (109) cases are pending,” Idris started.
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