The Jigawa Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has seized a total of 999.335kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances worth several millions of naira in the last year. the Commandant, Alh Muazu Aliyu Danmusa, disclosed this yesterday in Dutse.

In saying that the Command in its efforts to save the youths and Jigawa State from the evil acts of drug dealers have engaged in routine operations from June last year to June this year, which resulted in the arrest and seizure of narcotic drugs.

He said: “Indeed, members of NDLEA, Jigawa State Command are doing great in riding the state of the menace of drug dealers. I, therefore, urge our officers and men to maintain the tempo.”

During the period under review, a total number of 422 people comprising 409 males and 13 females were arrested. Meanwhile, 94 people were convicted and 186 were counselled.

Similarly, 15 people were rehabilitated while four were presently undergoing rehabilitation in the Command’s Youth Rehabilitation Centre.

According to Danmusa, the Command has also embarked in War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), sensitization campaigns at motor packs, secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the state as part of the preventive measure against drug abuse and trafficking.

The United Nations through its agency, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has set aside a week program between June 19 and 26 to reflect and commemorate the war against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The aim of this year’s campaign tagged, Combat Stigma and Discrimination by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgement, aimed to empower young people and communities to prevent drug and addiction, raise awareness about the negative impact of stigma and discrimination on people who use the drug and their families, as well raise awareness on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis epidemic among people who use drugs.