The Kano State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has recorded a total seizure of 8,386.733kg of drugs and arrested 1,078 suspects within the year 2022.
The state commander, CN Abubakar Idris Ahmad made this known at an annual press briefing held at the Kano State command headquarters on Thursday.
He said the drugs seized were 6,607.492kg of Cannabis Sativa; 1,778.388kg of Psychotropic Substances; 451 grams of cocaine; 125 grams of heroin; and 277 grams of methamphetamine. Moreso, 172 suspects were charged to court for prosecution among which 113 convictions were secured with 126 pending cases.
Ahmad said, “During the period under appraisal, over 82 hot spots were dislodged within and outside Kano megalopolis which includes: Jakara Area; Ahmed Musa Sports complex; Bubble Plus Club; Dawanau viewing centre; Farida Cinema; Zaro Club; 360 Restaurant; Piccolo Restaurant; Eldorado Cinema; Dan Nagari Club; Sani Abacha Stadium; Sabon Gari Stadium; Dorayi Karshen Waya; Red Restaurant, GRA; River Bird Hotel, Sabon Gari; a Joint at Hotoro; Rijiyar Lemo, Kwalli Area; Gidan Dambe Ado Bayero Square, Jaba Area; Research Rimin Kebe; Plaza Fagge among others.
“Within the stings of my stewardship, about five cannabis farms were discovered and destroyed in the State. These include; Fari Village of Dawakin Kudu, Yar Bundu Village of Bichi, Mantau forest of Danbatta, Nassarawa of Gwarzo and Dakata Area of Nassarawa Local Government Areas.”
He added that in an attempt to curtail the drug menace, a unit is saddled with the responsibility of creating awareness as well as counselling and rehabilitation of drug dependence where 150 schools benefited from drug prevention education lectures and over 1,844 drug users received treatment and rehabilitation.
The Commander, however, revealed that the Chairman and Chief Executive officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) CON, OFR has given approval for the creation of additional area commands at Rano Area Command, Tudun Wada Area Command and an office at Gaya Local Government.
“This prompts the need for our operational presence in the nook and cranny of the state and the effort would increase our presence as well as taming the drug abuse and trafficking menace in the state.”
