By PETER AMINE

The Nigerian Army says it has arrested three suspected drug dealers in Benue, pursuant to its mandate to curb criminal activities, including drug trafficking and cultism in the state.

The Commanding Officer, 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi, Lt.-Col. Sunday Agwom, said the army, working in collaboration with other relevant security and law enforcement agencies, handed over the suspects to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Agwom said the partnership with the NDLEA was targeted at those involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs.

He also said that many individuals involved in criminal activities, particularly cultism and other violent crimes, often operated under the influence of drugs.

“That is why we must continue to sanitise our communities by identifying and arresting those involved and handing them over to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution.

“It is on record that on June 15, we conducted an intelligence-led operation within the Makurdi metropolis.

“During the operation, we arrested Mr Ochai Jackson a resident of high status.

“On the same day, we arrested another suspect, who is a dismissed soldier, popularly known as Damfo, at the Lafia Garage for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

“Furthermore, one Mr Ochai Ako, who resides behind the prison yard, initially evaded arrest when our operatives first went after him.

“However, based on credible intelligence and a subsequent search of his vehicle, we recovered several packages of different types of illicit drugs,” Agwom said.

He warned that the special forces would continue to intensify their operations, in collaboration with NDLEA, to ensure that suspected drug peddlers were apprehended and brought to justice.

The Benue Commander of NDLEA, Mr Horsfal Richard, who received the suspects, said that the special forces demonstrated a strong spirit of collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

Richard, represented by Deputy Commander, Narcotics, James Gana, said the agency would do the needful by conducting a thorough Investigation and ensuring that the case was properly handled and prosecuted.

The Leader, Concerned Women in Community, Hajia Jamila Yahaya, lauded the Nigerian for the feat and urged the agency to sustain its fight to rid the state of criminal elements.

Yahaya also appealed to the agency to ensure the suspects were prosecuted according to the law prohibiting drug-related crimes.

Also, the Chairman, Hausa Chiefs in Benue, Imam Sani Yusuf, said “the source of every prohibited action by human beings were drugs.

Yusuf assured the special forces of the support of Hausa chiefs in tackling the drug menace in the state. (NAN)

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