NDLEA arrests 363 suspects, prosecutes 108 in Jigawa

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Jigawa State Command arrested 363 suspects between July 2020 and June 2021 in the state.

This was disclosed by the state’s commandant, Mrs Maryam Gambo Sani, during a press briefing as parts of this year’s (2021) World Drugs Day celebration.

The commandant, who lamented the increase of drugs abuse among younger people in the state, said the number of arrests and seizure of illicit substances rose compared with the previous years and called on parents and guardians to take proactive actions to stem the tide without delay.

Mrs Maryam attributed the increase in drugs abuses to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, which exposed millions to poverty.

She said every June 26 has been set aside by the United Nations as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The Theme of this year is “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives”; all you need to do is “#SharefactsonDrugs to help save lives”.

Gambo explained that of the 363 suspects, 347 were male, while 20 were female.

He said those arrested were arrested with 344.99kgs of Cannabis sativa and other psychotropic substances.

The commandant said 108 cases were filed at the Federal High Court Dutse in the period under review.

“Due to the absence of the Federal High Court Judge and the recent judiciary workers strike action, the command was only able to secure 30 convictions from the 15th of June, 2021 when court resumed duty till date, ranging from 3 to 20years imprisonment, while 87 cases are still pending before the Federal High Court.

“Also 155 persons were counselled by the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the Command while 14 clients/persons were treated, rehabilitated and reintegrated back to the society,” Gambo stated.

In the same vein, the Niger State Commandant of the NDLEA, Barrister Haruna Kwetishe, speaking in Minna, told newsmen that the agency arrested 68 suspects with various hard drugs in the state between January and June 2021.

He said 15 of the suspects have been convicted, while 256 clients have been successfully counselled by the agency.

In total, Kwetishe said the agency made a total seizure of 585,862kg of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp, 533kg of psychotropic substances and 273.39 litres of cough syrup with codeine in the period under review.

The state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Metane commended the NDLEA for its effort, noting that the insecurity in the state is usually done under the influence of drugs.