Widespread use of hard drugs in Bauchi worrisome: SSG

The Bauchi government says it is worried about the widespread sale and use of hard drugs in the state.
Secretary to the state government, Ibrahim Kashim, disclosed this on Thursday in Bauchi at the inauguration of a task force to work out modalities for curtailing the scourge.
Mr Kashim said the task force would complement NDLEA’s efforts in the fight against illicit drugs.
“Its terms of reference include intercepting illicit drugs in transit and closing suspected warehouses, shops and residences being used to transact drug businesses,” stated Mr Kashim. “It is also to prosecute persons involved in the business, arrest persons found consuming illicit drugs and map out strategies for checkmating activities of peddlers and consumers of the drugs in the state.”
The SSG directed the task force to take any other action necessary to curtail the menace. He urged its members to discharge the assignment to the best of their abilities to achieve desired objectives.
The task force chair and NDLEA chair, Ali Manu, noted that the NDLEA, a leading agency in the war against drug abuse and trafficking, could not win the war alone.
Mr Manu called for the support of the government, NGOs, religious bodies and sister security agencies to raise awareness and share information on the menace.
He said the NDLEA arrested 162 suspects and seized 673.499kg of different classes of drugs between August and November through constant intelligence-led raids on black spots and identified drug dealers.
“It is worthy of note that the issue of illicit substance abuse and trafficking should be taken with all the seriousness they deserve. The damages created by illicit drug consumption and trafficking are evident in our daily lives,” Mr Manu explained.
He added, “They manifest in psychiatric problems in youths, dysfunctional families, depression, sudden death, other health issues, poverty, crime, unfitness for employment, corruption and electoral violence, among other issues.”
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Agriculture
FG establishes mega farms in four states
He said NALDA targets establishing mega farm estates across the six geopolitical zones to address challenges affecting agricultural production and create modern farming communities.

World
Russian jailed 13 years for smuggling aircraft parts to Ukraine
The FSB said the man intended to deliver the spare parts to a key enterprise that maintains military aircraft and helicopters for the Ukrainian forces.
![Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi [Photo Credit: Twitter]](https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/G_al6PKXIAAfMKN.jpg)
States
Kogi School Abduction: We will never negotiate with criminals, Gov. Ododo says
“Let me reiterate that we will never negotiate with criminals. We will never pay ransom. We will rid Kogi of criminals,” Mr Ododo said.

NationWide
Nigeria, UN, U.S. deepen anti-crime partnership with first national strategy
The national strategy is expected to be officially unveiled on August 17.

World
Chinese President Xi seeks global cooperation to build artificial intelligence governance system
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged nations to build a just and equitable global artificial intelligence governance system.

Anti-Corruption
TD Bank insiders facilitating money laundering, fraud jailed 70 months
During the money-laundering scheme, 1,680 official bank checks were processed at TD Bank, totalling more than $92 million.





