The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it arrested no fewer than 1,290 suspects and recovered 4,589.361kg of illicit substances in 2024 in Kaduna alone.

NDLEA commander in Kaduna Samaila Danmalam said on Tuesday in Kaduna that the arrests and seizures were made between January and December 2024.

“In its bid to stamp out drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, the Command, in its kinetic approach, carried out numerous assignments and executed raid operations,” Mr Danmalam said.

He said that the operation led to the arrest of 1,290 suspects, which included drug traffickers, illicit drug users and other enablers of the drug crime.

Mr Danmalam added that 4,589.361kg of various hard drugs, including cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, tramadol, rohypnol and other psychotropic substances were seized.

He also stated that during its operations, the command intercepted 2,023 9mm and 7.62mm ammunition, a pistol and a locally fabricated pistol.

“Additionally, the command intercepted counterfeit naira notes of N1,000 denomination amounting to N4.8m while 124 illicit drug joints serving as meeting points for unwholesome activities were dismantled. The drug war cannot be won through just the kinetic means.

“The command in year 2024 intensified sensitisation campaigns, awareness lectures, counselling of drug users and rehabilitation of others to make them useful members of the larger society,” the commander said.

Mr Danmalam said the command prosecuted 189 suspects in court and secured the conviction of 155, who were sentenced to various terms ranging from two to 15 years’ imprisonment.

(NAN)