Army Hands Over Nine Suspected Drug Peddlers, Exhibits to NDLEA in Yobe
The 27 Task Force Brigade of the Nigerian Army has arrested nine suspected drug peddlers and recovered various illicit and controlled substances during a raid operation in Buni-Gari, Yobe.
Brig.-Gen. Mukhtar Mukhtar, the Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Buni Gari, disclosed this on Tuesday while handing over the suspects and exhibits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Yobe Command.
Mukhtar, represented by Major Augustine Balogun, said the operation was conducted on Sept. 20 at Buni-Gari by troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison as part of efforts to disrupt the activities of terrorists and prevent them from accessing illicit drugs.
He said the operation was in line with the mandate of the Chief of Army Staff to deny terrorists access to resources capable of sustaining their activities.
He said the troops arrested nine suspected drug peddlers during the operation and recovered substances including Cannabis sativa, Tramadol, Codeine and other suspected drugs.
Mukhtar added that the suspects and exhibits were handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Receiving the suspects and exhibits, Mr Garba Yakubu, the Deputy Commander, Operations, NDLEA, Yobe Command, commended the Nigerian Army for its cooperation with the agency in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
Yakubu confirmed that the NDLEA had taken over the suspects and substances and would conduct further examination and sorting of the exhibits at its office.
He said substances found to be prosecutable under the law would form the basis for legal proceedings against the suspects.
“We have taken over today from the Nigerian Army the substances and suspects. This is the result of the synergy that exists between the NDLEA and the Nigerian Army,” he said.
Yakubu said the two agencies had recently strengthened their collaboration following a courtesy visit by NDLEA officials to the brigade.
He said the substances recovered included Cannabis sativa, Tramadol and other controlled substances.
According to him, possession of some of the substances without lawful authority constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and could attract prosecution.
Yakubu also urged members of the public, particularly youths, to shun illicit drugs and provide relevant information to security agencies to assist in curbing drug trafficking and abuse.
He assured that the NDLEA would continue to work with the military and other security agencies to tackle the circulation and abuse of illicit drugs in the state.
