The Yobe State Police Command has arrested 14 suspected drug dealers and recovered more than 300 sachets and packages of suspected illicit drugs during a coordinated raid on criminal hideouts in Jakusko Local Government Area.
The operation, carried out at about 2:00 p.m. on Friday, targeted Buduwa Market in Jakusko as part of the Command’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse across the State.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to him, the operation was led by the Area Commander, Gashua, with support from officers of Bade ‘A’ Division, Bade ‘B’ Division, Area Command Gashua, Garin Alkali Division, Yusufari Division and Jakusko Division, alongside members of the Peace Group Vigilante.
Abdulkarim said the raid was aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts and disrupting the activities of suspected drug dealers operating within Buduwa Market.
“The operation targeted criminal hideouts and drug joints at Buduwa Market, Jakusko Local Government Area. During the operation, fourteen suspects were arrested while engaging in the sale, consumption and abuse of illicit drugs and other intoxicating substances,” he said.
The suspects were identified as Hamisu Umar, 20; Usman Wakili, 25; Aliyu Mohammed, 20; Hassan Ali, 35; Dudduwa Dorsha, 27; Adamu Hussaini, 27; Sale Adamu, 27; Adamu Umaru, 25; Babaru Hassan, 28; Dangi Maikudi, 22; Hassan Audu, 29; Abubakar Usman, 29; Ahmadu Waziri, 23; and Daudu Yusuf, 20.
Police said officers recovered more than 300 sachets and packages of suspected illicit drugs from the suspects, including Tramadol, Vega tablets, Indian hemp and other prohibited substances believed to have been intended for distribution and consumption.
Abdulkarim said investigations are ongoing, adding that the suspects are providing useful information to assist investigators in tracking down other members of the suspected criminal network.
“Investigation is ongoing, and the suspects are assisting the Police with useful information to facilitate the arrest of other members of the criminal network. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” he stated.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, had directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders to intensify raids on identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the State.
According to the spokesperson, the Commissioner described drug trafficking and substance abuse as major drivers of violent crime and other criminal activities, reaffirming the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against the illicit drug trade.
He also appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to strengthen efforts aimed at combating crime and improving public safety across Yobe State.
