The Kano State chapter of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major success in recent operations after intercepting a drug syndicate in the state, OsunDailyNG reports.
Kano State NDLEA Commander, Abubakar Idris Ahmad, confirmed this to newsmen on Tuesday, stating that the agencyโs officers have been on the trail of the syndicate for two months.
โThis operation is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and protect public safety,โ Channels Television quoted Ahmad saying.
He added: โOur officers worked diligently for two months to track and intercept these drugs, leading to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of over 1,500 kg of cannabis.โ
The NDLEA boss revealed that the syndicate was intercepted at Garindau near Wudil Bridge in the Wudil Local Government Area of Kano State last Wednesday.
He said the latest operation resulted in the seizure of an astonishing 116 bags of cannabis, weighing a total of 1,553.1 kg.ย Among the confiscated stash were 50 bags of compressed cannabis, with each bag containing 25 blocks, totalling 1,250 blocks, in addition to 66 bags of loose quantities of the drug, OsunDailyNG understands.
โThis quantity of cannabis could have caused significant harm to our communities if it had reached its intended destination,โ Ahmad explained.
โWe are committed to disrupting the supply chain and dismantling drug syndicates that threaten the safety and well-being of our citizens,โย Ahmad said.
He said the operation was due to a well-coordinated surveillance effort based on vital intelligence reports and the coordination of resources and personnel.
According to him, the drugs were intercepted while being transported from Lokoja to Jigawa.ย During the operation, two suspects were apprehended: Jonathan Nuhu, a 45-year-old from Kanke village in Plateau State, and Muhammad Abubakar, an 18-year-old from the Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.
Both suspects are believed to be part of a larger drug syndicate that specializes in transporting cannabis to northern Nigeria and distributing it to various dealers.
โThis arrest sends a clear message to those involved in drug trafficking that their illegal activities will not be tolerated,โ Ahmad stated, adding that the agency will continue to work tirelessly to apprehend the remaining suspects and dismantle the entire drug network.
Despite the success of the operation, Ahmad revealed that two other suspects managed to evade capture at the point of arrest and remain at large. The NDLEA is continuing its efforts to bring these criminals to justice.
On his part, the Acting Public Relations Officer for NDLEA, Kano Command, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari, expressed pride in the agencyโs officers.
โThis case serves as a testament to the diligence and bravery of our NDLEA officers, who are on the front lines in the fight against drug trafficking.
โWe remain vigilant and dedicated to our mission of upholding the law and protecting the good people of Kano State,โย Maigatari said.
The NDLEAโs operation is a major success in the fight against drug trafficking in the region, dealing a major blow to the illegal drug trade and safeguarding communities in Kano and neighbouring states.