The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested over 8,000 drug traffickers and abusers from January to August, and prosecuted about 1,600 of those arrested, the agency chairman, Buba Marwa, said on Monday.

Mr Marwa made the disclosure during a Town Hall meeting in Badawa community, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

According to him, over two million kilograms of assorted drugs was seized from the suspects during the period under review, and those convicted are serving various jail terms.

He urged Nigerians to continue to support the agency to rid the country of the menace of illicit drugs and abuse.

“War against drug abuse and trafficking is our collective responsibility and is for our betterment, because even criminal activities were as a result of drug abuse,” he said.

Mr Marwa said unemployment was one of the major causes of drug abuse, and noted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to “lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty,” was a way to tackle the menace.

The NDLEA chairman said that the agency was spearheading the establishment of War Against Drug Abuse Committees in every town and community across the country.

He explained that the committees would be headed by the traditional ruler in each community while religious leaders would be among the members.

According to him, the committees will work with NDLEA to sensitise people on the dangers of drug abuse and provide information on drug dealers, abusers and traffickers in each community.

In his remarks, the Ward Head of Badawa, Zakari Garba, expressed appreciation to NDLEA for its renewed efforts in the fight against drug abuse, and pledged to support the agency in tackling the menace.