Troops of the 27 Brigade, Sector 2, North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have handed over nine suspected drug peddlers to the Yobe State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Augustine Balogun, who represented the Brigade Commander, M.S. Mukhtar, handed over the suspects to the NDLEA Deputy Commander, Operations, Garba Yakubu.

Speaking at the event in Damaturu on Tuesday, Mr Mukhtar noted that the operation was part of the troops’ efforts at strangulating terrorists and denying them access to illicit drugs.

He said the suspects were arrested by troops of the 27 Brigade Garrison, Buni Gari, on September 20, following a raid in the area.

The commander said the suspects, aged between 17 and 42, were allegedly arrested in possession of cannabis, 20 litres of formaldehyde, 30 sachets of tramadol, cigarettes and two Itel phones.

Other items recovered from the suspects included sexual enhancement drugs, cash sums of N85,900, pocket lighters, and a wallet, among others.

Mr Mukhtar added that the troops were combat-ready to tackle activities of insurgents in the area in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) mandate.

In his remarks, Mr Yakubu attributed the successful handover of the suspects to the existing synergy between the troops and the NDLEA.

He assured that the agency would interrogate the suspects and those found wanting would face the law.

(NAN)