The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has launched ‘Operation Restore Order’ in Kano and arrested 80 suspects between August 10 and 16.
The operation is part of the agency’s sustained effort to restore order and create a safer, drug-free environment for residents, according to a statement by NDLEA’s spokesman in Kano, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, on Tuesday.
Mr Muhammad-Maigatari said the operation was carried out on the directive of NDLEA chairman Buba Marwa and led by the Kano commander, Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, to rid communities of illicit drugs and related crimes.
He disclosed that during the operation under a dislodge-and-occupy strategy, operatives carried out coordinated raids on 16 notorious drug joints across the state.
He listed the areas as Filin Mahaha, Koki, Dorayi, Rijiyar Lemo, Charanchi, Kasuwar Kurmi, Zage, Gwammaja, Sauna, Wambai, Yan Ayaba, Indabawa, Bela Village, Farm Centre, Masaka, and Panshekara.
According to him, the raids led to the arrest of 80 suspects and the recovery of assorted illicit substances and paraphernalia such as cannabis sativa, diazepam, exol-5, rubber solution, ‘suck and die,’ and other narcotics.
Others include cutting agents, packaging materials, and locally manufactured weapons and tools used in the trade.
“This operation is intelligence-led and resolute. The directive from our chairman is clear. We must restore order and protect our communities. Those who still engage in these illicit activities should repent before it is too late. We will not relent until Kano is drug-free,” Mr Yahaya-Lawal said.
He said the operation would be sustained and expanded as intelligence dictates, with continued occupation of dislodged sites and follow-up enforcement to prevent immediate reoccupation.
The commander said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, adding that investigations would continue to identify and dismantle wider drug trafficking networks.
Mr Yahaya-Lawal urged members of the public to remain vigilant and support the operations by providing timely and credible information to the nearest NDLEA office or through official communication channels.
“Community cooperation and intelligence sharing remain critical to sustaining the gains of this campaign and bringing major offenders to justice,” he said.