The Katsina State Branch of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Wednesday declared the arrest of 818 drug pushers as well seized 452.41kg of Cannabis Sativa, 26,099 bottles of Cough Syrups with codeine and 10,746 tablets of psychotropic substance during the year 2018
The State Commander of the NDLEA, Hajia Maryam Gambo Sani who made the disclosure at the Official Commissioning of the Agency’s Rehabilitation and Counseling Center donated by the Katsina State Government, also disclosed that 104 out of the number arrested were convicted to various jail terms while 714 drug users were counseled
She further maintained that in the first quarter of this year, her agency has so far made seizures of 66.12kg of CS, 15.7kg of psychotropic substances, 38 bottles cough syrup with codine and arrested 182 suspects while counseling 131 others
The Commander further promised that her agency will put the new rehabilitation center to good use and ensure its maximum use.
She said ’’In our tradition of discipline, diligence and prudence, this structure like others will be put to good use. We shall make maximum use of it for effective drug demand reduction as the center has the capacity to train clients in skills acquisition such as soap making, Knitting,Tailoring,Computer Training and handset Repairs’’
‘’Today is memorable to us as we close the three months of rehabilitation, counseling of thirty female clients which was shouldered by her Excellency and the Ministry of Women Affairs’’
She also assured that the program carried out at the center will be more enhanced with a robust a deliberate after care approach and also pointed out the need for those rehabilitated to be engaged in further skills acquisition as three months training is insufficient for certain categories of trades
Also speaking while commissioning the Center valued at N41m, the State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Manir Yakubu, commended the NDLEA for their efforts to free the state from illicit drug consumption and abuse
He recalled that since the inception of his administration in 2015,the state government have not relented in championing reduction in the activities of illicit drug peddling and consumption in the state, which he described as worrisome and an ugly development
He said ’’the Counseling and Rehabilitation of 30 female clients by NDLEA in conjunction with the Ministry of women Affairs is a further demonstration of the significance of the center and the need for it to be kept functional’’