Locals displayed, joy, and enthusiasm in support of officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Kano Command, who were on Road show, and street awareness walk in Gama Communities to mark this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse in Kano.
The Road show which was organized in collaboration with Members of the League for Societal Protection Against Drug Abuse, (LESPADA) triggered hiccups in vehicular movements in adjourning communities.
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The 3hrs street awareness walk, kicked off from Gwagwarwa police station, ( meeting point) moved behind Kano Township Christian Cemetery (Jagule), street to Tudun Wada Friday Mosque, Mini Stadium, Sabuwar Kasuwa, Audu Utai way, Hamdala Line, Suntulma Primary School, Kwanar Takari, Kwanar Jaba, Alheri Bread, Yan kaji bus stop and terminated at Gwagwarwa police station.
Addressing Journalists shortly after the road show, the Kano Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Abubakar Idris Ahmed said Gama Community in Nassarawa LGA was carefully selected because of the recent drug abuse incidences that involved a case of culpable homicide.
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He said the street awareness walk was to sensitize the people of the community on dangers associated with peddling and drug abuse describing the menace as merchant of death.
He stressed that awareness campaign is key element in the war against drug abuse everywhere in the world.
“When people aware the dangers of abusing drug and illicit trafficking you will witness mass reduction of substance abuse,”
The Kano NDLEA boss, stressed the significance of intelligence from members of the community.
He added that the war against drug abuse requires strong measures and community involvement.
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“My door is always open for recieving information on black spots, as well as people selling the drug within community.
“Any information given to us would be treated with utmost confidentiality.” The Commander assured.
In her speech, the Executive Director of League for Societal Protection Against Drug Abuse (LESPADA), Ambassador Maryam Hassan explained the negative effects of drug abuse, calling on youths of the area to stop endagering their lives.
She explained that the end of every drug peddler or abuse is always reget, as she maintained that LESPADA is always ready to assist victim of drug abuse.
Ambassador Maryam, further explained that LESPADA engages in sensitization, enlightment, rehablitation and counselling with a view to curtailing the menace of drug abuse.
She added that the rally was in line with this year’s theme of International Day Against Drug Abuse, “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention,”
Also in a separate chat with Justice Watch News on Friday, the Village head of Gama Community, Alhaji Rabiu Muhammad Isyaku and Dr. Muhd Shehu Hussain, Chairman of Gama First, a community based NGO, applauded NDLEA and LESPADA for chosen Gama Community to conduct the awareness campaign.
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They said sensitazation against the use of illicit drug is among the cardinal principles of Gama First
According to them, recently the Gama First organized sensitization on skill acquisition to discourage youths of the area from abusing drug.
“SMEDAN and National Directorate of Employment, NDE made presentations during the workshop.”
Justice Watch News observed that during the sensitization walk, on reaching Mini Stadium, popurlarly known as Gama Hotel, a drug joint, the NDLEA official grabbed a suspect by the waist, that attracked other suspects to brought out cutlasses and intended to attacked officer who grabbed their colleague.
It forced the arm squad of the NDLEA to fire a shot in air to disperse the remaining suspects, as a common method used by law enforcement to disperse crowds or deter potential threats.
After the loud noise of the gun shot, the suspected hoodlums who already started regrouping, brandishing cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, dispersed without inflicting injury to anyone.
