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| Image: NDLEA Jigawa Commander Musa Maina |
By Muhammad Salisu
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed a reduction in drug abuse in Jigawa State, a development that is being hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against substance abuse.
According to a report, Jigawa State, along with Kano, was ranked among the highest states across Nigeria with the menace of drugs abuse, with approximately three million bottles of codeine consumed daily.
Recently, the agency's chairman, General Buba Marwa (rtd), in one of the interviews he granted revealed that about 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 have used drugs and have psycho or mental disorders.
In an exclusive interview with The Newskeeper Correspondent recently in his office, the NDLEA Jigawa State Commander Musa Maina stated that the development was not accidental but due to the renewed effort, collaboration from security agencies, government, community organizations, and concerned individuals who joined hands in the crusade of fighting the menace in the state.
The Jigawa state NDLEA Commander Musa Maina said the agency's efforts to limit the supply and abuse of hard drugs and other psychoactive substances helped a lot to achieved this status.
Narrating more on the efforts put in place by the command, Mr. Maina explained that, "the command from the year 2024 to date has arrested 702 suspects that comprised 677 male and 25 female.
"The Command in the period also seized 466.968 kilograms of cannabis Sativa, 23.655 kilograms of psychotropic substances, and 100.185 kilograms of other substances of abuse," he said.
Highlighting on the convictions of the arrestees before the court, the Commander revealed that Jigawa NDLEA also has in the last 12-month secured 107 convictions at the Federal High Court in Dutse, and provided counseling services to 591 drug users.
"The command successfully rehabilitated 36 drug-dependent clients at its rehabilitation center," he added.
Despite this progress, the Commander said that NDLEA is still seeking the cooperation of stakeholders in Jigawa State to combat drug peddlers and noted that "the agency believes that a collaborative effort is necessary to ensure a drug-free environment."
"We appeal to all stakeholders to redouble their efforts and cooperate with us in the crusade against the menace of drug abuse in the state," said Commander Musa Maina.
Responding on a question put to him on the possibility of creating a drug-free environment, the Jigawa Commander said "in this regard, NDLEA is currently leveraging on the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) platform to sensitize the public about the dangers of drug abuse in the state.
"The agency is also collaborating with communities through their chiefs, traditional institutions to promote public education and awareness about drug abuse,"
In addition, the NDLEA Jigawa boss explained that the Agency is seeking to partner with schools to combat drug abuse, adding that the agency believes that education is key to preventing drug abuse, and is working to introduce addiction programs in higher institutions of learning.
Also, the Commander stressed that "the NDLEA's efforts to combat drug abuse in Jigawa State are part of a larger national effort to address the problem."
However, Mr. Maina who pointed out that the agency's work is far from over noted that the NDLEA needs the cooperation of stakeholders in Jigawa State to ensure a drug-free environment.
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