The Sokoto State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has seized 490.7 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis and 17,568 bottles of codeine syrup.

The state commander, Mustapha Gidado, disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday in Sokoto.

Mr Gidado said NDLEA officials apprehended 54 cartons of codeine syrup, while 198 cartons were intercepted by officials of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) along Illela Road in Sokoto State.

He said the total cartons of codeine syrup were 236, containing 756.8 litres, adding that each bottle is being sold at N13,000.

The commander added that the seized cannabis was contained in 47 bags stored by one Monday Effiong, an indigene of Cross River residing in the Tamaje area in the Sokoto metropolis.

Mr Gidado said Mr Effiong was arrested with the bags intact in his room and would soon be charged to court, adding that each bag of cannabis was being sold at about N180,000.

He said the items were arrested following a tip-off from a good Samaritan. He urged the residents to continue supporting the NDLEA and other agencies in safeguarding society against all forms of criminality.

Mr Gidado further commended the Sokoto/Zamfara area comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service, Aliyu Isa-Ndako, who handed over the seized items to NDLEA on Monday.

The commander reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ridding the state of drug abuse and trafficking, adding that enforcement would cut across all segments of society.

Mr Gidado added that the command had intensified advocacy and sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on the dangers of drug abuse.

The commander also commended Governor Ahmad Aliyu for his invaluable support to the agency’s activities and promised to ramp up efforts to rid the state of drug abuse and other related crimes.

(NAN)