The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Gombe says it arrested 16 females and 261 male suspects in connection with drug-related offences across the state.

NDLEA’s state coordinator, Ekaete Egwunwoke, said operatives of the agency apprehended the suspects in the past year in various raids across the state.

She stated this on Saturday during the commemoration of the 2022 International Day Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Abuse in Kumo, Headquarters of Akko Local Government Area of the state.

Ms Egwunwoke said the suspects had been arrested from June 2021 to June 2022, adding that the agency secured 22 convictions while 88 cases were pending before the courts.

She said that the remaining cases were being referred to a counselling centre for rehabilitation.

Ms Egwunwoke commended the state government, Emir of Akko and other stakeholders for their support in the fight against drug abuse.

Habu Dahiru, the state Commissioner for Health, said that the government had adopted proactive measures to check the circulation of illicit drugs.

Mr Dahiru, represented by Dahiru Mohammed, Special Assistant to Governor Inuwa Yahaya on Health, said the feat was achieved through the activation of the state drug control committee.

(NAN)