NDLEA arrests 702 ‘illicit drug peddlers’ in Jigawa

The Jigawa command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it arrested 702 suspected drug peddlers in 2024.

Musa Maina, Jigawa state commander of the agency, spoke during an interview with NAN on Wednesday.

Maina said 592,626.52kg of illicit drugs were seized from the suspects — comprising 25 females and 677 males.

He said the substances comprise 466.968kg of suspected cannabis sativa, 23.655kg of suspected psychotropic substances and 100.185kg of other substances.

He also said the command counselled 591 drug users, comprising 27 females and 564 males.

Maina added that the command successfully rehabilitated 36 drug dependent persons.

He said the agency secured the conviction of 107 illicit drug peddlers.

“We were also able to successfully rehabilitate 36 drug dependent persons at our rehabilitation center, as well as deliver 99 drug preventive education lectures and advocacy talks,” he said.

“The lectures and advocacy talks were done through various medium including tertiary institutions, the NYSC, government agencies, drug free club, CSOs, marketplaces, as well as print and electronic media.

“The command worked hard with great determination to limit the supply and abuse of hard drugs and other psychoactive substances and we are committed to doing even more to achieve much greater feat.

“While I solicit for greater collaboration from stakeholders to rid the state of substance abuse, I commended traditional and religious institutions, as well as the state government for their support and cooperation to the agency in its fight against drug abuse thus far.

“I also enjoin residents of the state to join hands with us in the fight against the menace of illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse.”