A 72-year-old man is among the 146 suspects arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Sokoto State following a major crackdown that led to the seizure of nearly one tonne of illicit drugs in four months.
The Sokoto State Commander of the NDLEA, Alhaji Mustapha Muhammad Gidado, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements since he assumed office.
He said the arrests resulted in the seizure of 982.8 kilograms of illicit substances across the state.
According to Gidado, 13 of the suspects have already been convicted, while 18 others are currently facing trial.
He added that the command has also rehabilitated 18 drug-dependent individuals and successfully reunited them with their families.
Among the seizures were 54 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup intercepted along the Nigeria–Niger Republic border, and 15 bags of cannabis sativa hidden inside sacks of sawdust and transported from Edo State into Sokoto. Other confiscated items included 198 blocks of cannabis sativa, diazepam, and various other illicit drugs.
Gidado attributed the successes to the support of the Sokoto State Government, effective collaboration with other security agencies, and timely intelligence from members of the public.
He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to eliminating drug abuse and trafficking in the state, urging residents to continue providing credible information to aid the agency’s operations.
