The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has seized over 1.5 tons of illicit drugs, and arrested 993 suspects in Katsina State from Nov. 10, 2021 to Nov. 23, 2022.
Read Also: LASTMA Recovers Gun Inside Vehicle Impounded for Driving Against Traffic in Lagos
The NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr Mohammed Bashir disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command within the period under review.
He explained that, “I took over the leadership of the state command on Nov. 10 2021 as the 16h state commander. My deputies were equally posted a few weeks after I resumed duty.
“After an overview of the drug situation in the state, looking at the arrests and seizures, age and gender.
“We decided to tackle the drug situation in the state using evidence-based approach in terms of
substance use and intensify our raids operations, patrol and surveillances
Read Also: NDLEA arrests Saudi-bound widow with cocaine in footwears at Lagos airport
“This approach has yielded positive result giving us a total arrest of 993 suspects comprising 977 males and 16 females.
“A total amount of drugs seized within the period is 1,555,446kgs, making 1,473.795kgs of cannabis sativa, 81.651,39kgs of psychotropic substances and 92.95 litres of cough syrup with codeine.”
According to the NDLEA Commander, 93 per cent of the suspects arrested fall between the age of 16-40 years.
He added that the drug demand reduction unit of the command was able to counsel and rehabilitate 76 clients with four Substance Use Disorders (SUD) clients coming from Niger republic.
Mr Bashir revealed that close to 800 persons have undergone brief intervention at the centre, saying, “It’s sad that 95 per cent fall between the age bracket of 16-40 years.
Read Also: Wanted drug baron arrested as NDLEA nabs woman linked to Pakistani cocaine syndicate
“The command has enjoyed the support of Gov. Aminu Masari, as recently he has sponsored the counseling and rehabilitation of 45 SUD clients in our centre.
“The clients were able to learn vocational skills like leather work, carpentry and Information Technology (IT). They have since been integrated with their families.
“We wish the governor will continue with the intervention by releasing funds for the next phase, which is supposed to last for one year.
Read Also: NDLEA made no request to buy sniffer dogs in 2023 budget
“The wife of the governor, Dr Hadiza Bello Masari has been a partner in progress, her NGO has supported the command’s activities especially when it comes to women and children’s programs.”
According to him, through their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) the command has taken its message to most of the communities within the state.
