The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has seized nine tonnes of illicit drugs, worth N1.5 billion, and arrested 1,078 suspects in Kano State.
At the maiden end-of-the-year review on Thursday in Kano, the NDLEA State Commander, Mr Abubakar Idris-Ahmad said that the seizure and arrests were within 12 months.
He said that the agency raided 82 hot spots within and outside Kano Metropolis to arrest and seize different illicit drugs as part of its efforts to eradicate drug abuse and trafficking.
This, he said led to the arrest of 1,078 suspects which include 951 males and 127 females.
Idris-Ahmad noted that the total drugs seized within the period under review were 8,386.733kg, comprising of 6,607.492kgs of cannabis sativa, 1,778.388kg of psychotropic substances, 451grams of cocaine, 125gram of heroine and 277gram of methamphetamine.
The commander maintained that within the period under review, the agency secured 113 convictions, destroyed five cannabis farms in the state and rehabilitated over 1,844 drug addicts.
He noted that the agency sensitised 150 schools on drug prevention, screened 141 traditional title holders on drugs and issued 164 visa clearance.
Idris-Ahmad informed that the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Rtd Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, has approved the creation of additional two area Commands in the state to strengthen the fight against hard drugs.
He lauded the Kano State Government for their support and the resolution adopted by Kano traditional Council that mandated candidates to undergo drug screening before their appointment as ward, village or district heads.
Idris-Ahmad appreciated other security agencies, non-governmental organisations, community leaders and the media for their support in the area of intelligence sharing, drug prevention education and information.
He called on the state government and other relevant stakeholders to support the agency in addressing the supply and demand side of illicit drugs.
While advocating for peaceful election ahead of 2023, the commander stated that there will be no crime without drugs.
He disclosed that curtailing the menace of illicit drugs in the state would reduce the work of security agencies before, during and after the election.
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