NDLEA Arrests 279 Drug Suspects

At least 279 drug suspects have been arrested by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Kano, northwest Nigeria, in the last six months.

Briefing newsmen during the United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse, NDLEA Commander in Kano, Garba Ahmadu said out of the figure, 108 have already been convicted, adding that 2298.866kgs of illicit drugs were also seized from suspects.

Garba expressed happiness over the support from Kano State government which he said has helped in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

According to him, the Command has been able to dislodge drug dealers at hot-spots such as Kofar Naisa, Sharada, Darmanawa, Rijiyar Lemo, Dorayi Primary School, Sabon Gari, NNPC Depot, Kiwo Lambu, Gandu Albasa, Gidan Zoo, Rumfa College, Kabo town, Kachako town, Ungwa Uku motor park, New Road motor park, Mariri, Yan ITYACE, Wudil town, Durban Sai town, Tudun Wada, Gezawa town, Plaza Fagge and Rimin Gado.

“The state government under Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso is really helping the agency to tackle the problem of drug abuse and trafficking. This he is doing through the creation of multi-agency taskforce comprising all the security agencies and para-military.

“He also donated six Hilux vehicles for operation. We have the counselling and rehabilitation centre built in Kiru by the state government. We have sent about 196 drug-dependent persons to that centre and government is taking care of them.

“In all more than 500 drug-dependent persons have ben counselled and rehabilitated by the state government.

“Again the state government has approved the construction of a standard rehabilitation centre within the NDLEA State Command Headquarters,” he stated.