By AbdulRaheem Aodu
Kaduna
Not less than 120 suspected drug barons and addicts were arrested in Kaduna state from January to June, this year, by the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Kaduna state Commandant of the Agency, Mr. Samuel Azige, said yesterday.
He added that 25 people were convicted, 68 were counseled and rehabilitated, while 15, 599, 881 metric tons of exhibits we seized from the suspects within the said period.
He said: “We equally commended the state government for providing this agency with all the necessary support towards fighting drug abuse in the state. From January to date am proud to inform you that the menace has drastically reduced in the state.
“We as an agency cannot alone fight the menace alone; therefore, there is the need for our community, religious leaders and other stakeholders, to join hands in the fight against the menace.”
Zone B Coordinator of Customs, Abdullahi Zilkifil Argungu, said the Nigerian Customs was doing all it could to ensure that it curtail importation of illicit and expired drug into the country.
“Customs has been doing this since before the establishment of NDLEA, we are doing this in collaboration with relevant agencies who will examine goods that came through our airports and borders.”
Pastor Yohanna Buru, in his remarks, said religious leaders “are equally playing their role in churches and mosques by preaching to their followers against the dangers of drug abuse in society.”