By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Yobe State Police Command has arrested 14 suspected drug dealers during a raid on criminal hideouts and drug joints at Buduwa Market in Jakusko Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement issued at the weekend in Damaturu.
He said the operation was conducted at about 2:00 pm by the Area Commander, Gashua, leading a joint team comprising personnel from Bade ‘A’ and Bade ‘B’ Divisions, Area Command Gashua, Garin Alkali, Yusufari and Jakusko Divisions, with support from members of the Peace Group Vigilante.
According to the statement, the operation targeted identified criminal hideouts and drug joints in the area.
“The operation led to the arrest of 14 suspects who were allegedly engaged in the sale, consumption and abuse of illicit drugs and other intoxicating substances,” the statement said.
The police said over 300 sachets and packages of suspected illicit drugs, including Tramadol, Vega tablets, Indian Hemp and other prohibited substances, were recovered during the raid.
It added that investigation was ongoing, while the suspects were assisting detectives with information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the criminal network.
The command said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, has directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders to intensify raids on identified criminal hideouts and blackspots across the state.
He reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance against drug trafficking and substance abuse, describing the menace as a major driver of violent crimes and other criminal activities.
The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to the police to support ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
