NDLEA arrested 58 drug suspects at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on Wednesday, the spokesman for the agency in Kano, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, stated on Friday.

NDLEA commander in Kano, Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, said the arrest was made during ‘Operation Hana Maye’ (Operation Stop Drug Abuse), a new anti-drug campaign.

The new operation aims at combating drug trafficking and abuse in Kano.

“On Wednesday, a raid was conducted to ensure maximum effectiveness and minimise any potential resistance at Sani Abacha Stadium, which has turned out to be a hotspot for drug-related activities,” Mr Idris-Ahmad said.

He added that a team of highly-trained officers arrested the 58 male drug suspects, and various illicit substances were recovered from them.

“The arrest of the suspects is a significant victory for the NDLEA in its fight against drug-related activities in Kano state.

“This operation is just the beginning. We will continue to intensify our efforts to ensure our communities are free from the scourge of illicit substances so as to have a drug-free society,” he said.

Mr Idris-Ahmad called on the general public to provide actionable information that could assist the NDLEA in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

He assured informants of confidentiality and protection and urged the public to report suspicious activities or individuals involved in drug-related crimes to the nearest NDLEA office or through the agency’s toll-free helpline – 0800 1020 3040.

“We will continue to collaborate with the Kano state government, community leaders, relevant stakeholders and members of the public to fight against drug abuse,” Idris-Ahmad stated. 

(NAN)