By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Dutse – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) command in Jigawa says it arrested over 617 suspects and recovered 3.5 tonnes of assorted narcotics between January and December 13 in the state.
The NDLEA Commander in the state, Josephine Obi, made this known at a news conference in Dutse on Monday.
Obi said that out of the 617 arrested suspects, the command had secured conviction of 106 to various jail terms ranging from six to 36 months imprisoment.
He added that 450 of the suspects had been counseled by the command within the period under review.
The commandant pointed out that 70 per cent of the seized drugs was psychotropic substances.
He added that “the jigawa command of the NDLEA from January to December 13, despite challenges faced, has achieved a lot in its drug war viz-a-viz arrest and seizure, prosecution and counselling.
“The command arrested over 617 suspects within the period under review, while a total seizure quantity of of 3.5 tonnes of various types of illicit drugs was made.
“The command also convicted 106 drug suspects to various jail terms, while 450 of suspects were counseled.”
According to her, the agency conducted Drug Education activities in the state aimed at educating students and individuals of the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
Obi noted that the command was able to reach more than 40,000 people through various public enlightenments it carried out in schools, markets and places of public interest.
“We also conducted about 11 programmes to educate people on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
“The programmes were aimed at creating awareness and counseling drug users as well as enhancing activities of relevant stakeholders’ involvement in fighting drug menace.
“Drug-Free Clubs were also established in various schools within the state,” Obi explained.
She, therefore, urged the public to always give the command credible information that would assist it in tackling the menace of abuse of illicit drugs.
“The abuse of psychotropic substance and cough syrup had been a worrisome development which the command had been battling to address.
“All hands must be on deck to tackle the menace.”
