By: Isa Ahmad
JIGAWA, North-West Nigeria – Jigawa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), said it has impounded 61.24 kg of various narcotics and psychotropic substances between January to June 2019.
The state Commander, Barrister Ruth Obi disclosed while briefing newsmen at the commemoration of UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Dutse on Tuesday.
According to her, the command arrested 186 suspects among whom are 182 males and 4 females. She disclosed that 22 persons were convicted, while 108 persons, made up of 105 males and 3 females were counseled within the period under review.
She further informed that the command made arrest of numerous major drug peddlers in different locations in the state.
Obi who expressed concern over the increasing rate of drug abuse in the state assured of the command’s readiness to make Jigawa a drug free state; pointing out that with commitments of the command and support from government, the menace could be drastically reduced to the barest minimum.
“The drug war is more challenging now than ever. The difficulties of today have led many more people into drug dependency, hence, our conviction to intensify efforts towards making arrests, seizures, and counseled victims for reformations.
“The NDLEA jigawa state is undaunted and will continue to work to sanitize the state through arrests, seizures, diligent prosecution and counseling.
“We now have a rehabilitation centre established by the state Drug Control Committee to enable us carry out residential counseling in addition to home based counseling,” she said.