The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has arrested 80 suspects and dislodged 16 drug joints in Kano State within the first seven days of its Operation Restore Order (ORO).

The operation, launched on August 10, was conducted under a ‘dislodge-and-occupy’ strategy aimed at dismantling locations identified as centres of drug trafficking and abuse and preventing their immediate reoccupation.

The command disclosed this in a statement by its Media and Advocacy Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out between August 10 and 16, following a directive by the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.).

The command, led by CN DY Lawal, coordinated raids on several locations identified through intelligence as hubs for illicit drug activities.

The locations included Filin Mahaha, Koki, Dorayi, Rijiyar Lemo, Charanchi, Kasuwar Kurmi, Zage, Gwammaja, Sauna, Wambai, Yan Ayaba, Indabawa, Bela village, Farm Centere, Masaka and Panshekara, among others.

NDLEA officers recovered various illicit substances and drug-related paraphernalia during the operations, including Cannabis sativa, diazepam, Exol-5, rubber solution and substances locally referred to as ‘Suck and Die.’

The agency also recovered other narcotics, cutting agents, packaging materials, as well as locally manufactured weapons and tools allegedly used in the illicit drug trade.

The commander described the operation as intelligence-led, stressing that the agency will continue its efforts until Kano communities were rid of illicit drugs.

He urged individuals still involved in drug-related activities to abandon the trade, as the NDLEA will sustain enforcement operations across the state.

The suspects are expected to be processed and prosecuted in accordance with the law, while investigations will continue to uncover and dismantle wider drug trafficking networks. (Nigerian Tribune)