The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State has seized 2, 899.9 kg of illicit drugs from January to September. The state NDLEA Commander, Garba Ahmadu disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on Saturday.
According to him, the drugs seized are cannabis sativa or Indian hemp, cocaine, heroin and psychotropic substances.
Mr. Ahmadu said that during the period under review, the command arrested 397 suspects, out of which 196 were successfully convicted at the Federal High Court, Kano
The commander stated that cases of 25 of the suspects were pending while 176 others were counselled, rehabilitated, and later integrated with their respective families across the state.
He said the command had dedicated telephone lines for members of the public to report activities of illicit drug peddlers in Kano metropolis. He gave the numbers as: 07055886224, 08037588209 and 08184843050. He said that in an effort to curb the menace of dealers in illicit drugs, the state government set up a Special Task Force on Drug Abuse, with himself as the Chairman.
“The membership of the task force is drawn from all security outfits in the state, and a representative of the Emirate Council.
“The task force is charged with the responsibility of checking drug abuse and peddling, which is rampant in the city”, he said.
According to him, the state government has donated five new Toyota Hilux vehicles to the Task force to facilitate its operations.
He disclosed that the task force had so far arrested 79 persons since it commenced operation on September 24, in addition to dislodging a number of notorious joints where activities of drug peddlers thrived.
(NAN)