The Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Monday said it had set up a “Special Squad’’ to fight drug abuse in Babura Local Government Area of the state.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Durumin-Iya, made this known on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Durumin-Iya said the decision to set up the special squad followed series of complaints received by the corps on the activities of drug users and dealers.
“The State Government sought for our assistance in fighting the menace in Babura and the state in general,’’ Durumin-Iya said.
He disclosed that the special squad commenced operation 11 days ago and had so far arrested 15 suspects.
The commandant explained that three of the suspects who were arrested with “serious exhibits’’, had been handed over to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action.
According to him, the other 12 with minor offences were punished and released on bail.
Durumin-Iya further said that those released were closely being monitored by men of the command operating in the area.
“The command has concerned over increased misbehaviour of youth in the area, the state and the nation due to misuse of drugs.
“That is why we decided to set up this special squad with a view to bringing to an end the menace, but we cannot achieve our goal without the support of the state government.
“As I said earlier, the government sought for our assistance to deal with the situation because it is tired of negative reports emanating from the area about drug abuse,’’ the commandant said.
He stated that the squad was working 24 hours in order to ensure that the area was free from any form of drug abuse.
According to him, the operation of the special squad will be extended to other three District Councils of the state in order to deal with the situation squarely.
NAN reports that Jigawa Government had in 2015 constituted a 20-member committee under the Chairmanship of Khadi Bashir to check menace of drug abuse among youth in the state.
The committee’s terms of reference was to identify causes of drug abuse, level of usage and track its sources.
It was also to sensitise the public, particularly to dangers associated with drug abuse, rehabilitate drug addicts, as well as advise government on the way forward. (NAN)
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