The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested 17 suspected drug peddlers and recovered 4,658 wraps of various illicit substances in a renewed crackdown on drug-related crimes across the state.
Press Online reports that the command had earlier, on December 17, arrested seven suspects in connection with armed robbery and theft in different parts of the state, during which five motorcycles and other stolen items were recovered.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Dutse, the state capital, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, said the latest arrests followed intelligence-led operations carried out in several identified hotspots across Jigawa.
According to him, the suspects were apprehended in Dutse, Guri, Gumel, Sara, Shuwarin, Sundimina, Kazaure, Malam-Madori, Ringim, Birnin Kudu, Kafin Hausa and Taura local government areas.
“During the operation, a total of 17 major drug peddling suspects were arrested across the various locations,” the statement said.
SP Adam disclosed that a principal suspect, Mutari Shu’aibu, a 20-year-old from Dutse Local Government Area, was found in possession of a large quantity of hard drugs allegedly meant for distribution.
“In our sustained efforts to rid Jigawa State of drug abuse and criminal activities, the command arrested 17 suspects and recovered 4,658 wraps of hard drugs during coordinated raids,” he stated.
He added that all exhibits recovered during the operations had been properly documented and would be presented as evidence in court.
According to the police spokesperson, all the suspects have been arraigned following discreet investigations and will face prosecution in accordance with the law.
SP Adam said the operation was part of the command’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking, aimed at protecting public safety and safeguarding youths from the dangers of drug abuse.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Dahiru Muhammad, as commending the officers involved and reiterating the command’s resolve to sustain the fight against drug-related crimes.
“The command will not relent in its onslaught against drug trafficking and other criminal activities,” the commissioner was quoted as saying.
The police assured residents that similar operations would continue across the state until drug abuse and related crimes are significantly curtailed.
The command also appealed to members of the public to support its efforts by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities, stressing that tackling drug abuse requires collective action.
