327 Persons Arrested By NDLEA Officials, 660.15KG Of Assorted Drugs Sized In Jigawa State
Umar Akilu Majeri
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said drug abuse could be a fertile ground for the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
NDLEA Commander in Jigawa, Hajiya Maryam Sani, stated this in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Mr Garba Abubakar in Dutse last week Friday, in commemoration of the 2020 World Drug Free Day themed “Better Knowledge for Better Care”.
“Let it be clear that drug abuse leads to diminished immunity and could therefore be a fertile ground for the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Going by the theme for the year 2020, “Better knowledge for Better care”, we implore all to join hands with us to fight the myths and stigmatization with facts and knowledge of drugs so that we can avail respect and care to the less fortunate victims of drug abuse,” Sani said.
Sani explained that June 26th of every year has been set aside by the United Nations to give special attention to drugs cultivation, production, trafficking and abuse.
The commander pointed out that the agency, had since 1990 been helping to keep the country safe from drugs and related organized crime and terrorism.
According to her, the day celebration avails yet another opportunity to foster, greater cooperation and collaboration to counter the impact of drugs on public health, security and good governance.
“The Global Drug Day celebration avails yet another opportunity to bring the matter to the front burner with a view to foster greater cooperation and collaboration aimed at countering the impact of drugs on public health, and by implication the ravaging pandemic, security and good
Governance
“Therefore, we encourage individuals, non-profit organizations, the private sector, members of the community, as well as government agencies to get involved in the campaign to mark this day, and implore them to draw from third resources to join the campaign,” she appealed.
In the area of arrest and seizure, the commander said the agency was able to arrest 327 persons and seized a total of 660.15 kilograms of assorted drugs, from July 2019 to date.
Drugs seized included Cannavis Sativa, Tramadol, Rohypnol, Exol 5, Valium 5, Diazepam, cough syrup with codeine and rubber solution.
“A total of 81 cases were charged to court, 25 of them were convicted while the remaining 56 are remanded in correctional facility custody.
“Others were given brief counseling, while two persons underwent treatment and rehabilitation and discharged.
“Also, we carried out series of sensitization activities, creating better knowledge at primary and secondary schools, as well as tertiary institutions in collaboration with NYSC groups across the state.
“We collaborate with all the media in the state to enlighten the general public on monthly basis, still in the spirit of better knowledge of the drug issue,” she explained.
