The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) has arrested 1,078 suspects, and seized 9 tonnes of illicit drugs worth N1.5 billion in Kano State in 2022.
The NDLEA State Commander, Mr Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, disclosed this while briefing newsmen.
He said in an effort to curtail the meance of drug abuse the command was able to raid 82 hot spots within and outside Kano Metropolis ,and alot of arrest and seizures of different illicit drugs was made .
“As a result 1,078 suspects were arrested which include 951 males and 127 females.
Mr Abubakar Idris-Ahmad noted that the total drugs seized within the period under review was 8,386.733kg, which is made up of 6,607.492kgs of cannabis sativa, 1,778.388kg of psychotropic substances, 451grams cocaine, 125gram of heroine and 277gram of methamphetamine.
” within the period under review the agency had secured 113 convictions,destroyed five cannabis farms in the state and rehabilitated over 1,844 drug abusers.”
“The agency sensitized 150 schools on drug prevention, screened 141 traditional title holders on drugs and 164 Visa clearance secured approval under the period review” Idris-Ahmad said.
He maintained that the Chairman Chief Executive Officer NDLEA, Brig. Mohammed Buba-Marwa, had approved the creation of additional two area Commands in the state in the fight against drug.
He commended the Kano State Government for their support and resolution taken by Kano traditional Council ensuring that candidate undergo drug screening before appointed as Ward,Village or District heads.
“We also appreciate the synergy being enjoyed from sister security agencies in the area of intelligence sharing, NGOs, Community leaders and media towards drug prevention education and information”
The Commander called on the state government and other relevant stakeholders to support the agency in addressing the supply and demand reduction of illicit drugs.
Abdullahi Jalaluddeen/Kano
