The Nigerian Army has announced an immediate ban on the sale of illicit drugs and other illegal substances at the Mammy Market at the Giginya Barracks in Sokoto.
This follows an investigation by the editor of icirnigeria, Tajudeen Suleiman, on how the abuse of drugs and other substances thrives at various army barracks in Northern Nigeria.
The report had specifically indicted the Sokoto barracks where patent medicine dealers sell cough syrups and other illegal drugs freely and without hiding to their numerous customers who are mostly women.
Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Umar Shuaib, announced the ban in a statement on Saturday, adding that the directive was issued by the Commander, 1 Brigade, Sokoto, Ginikawa Nwosu.
Shuaib stated that all shops dealing in such substances at the market had also been closed immediately.
He said: “This is in line with his (Nwosu’s) commitment towards ensuring sanity in the market and the entire barracks community.
“The commander is hereby assuring the Sokoto State Government, Sultanate Council and the entire people of the state that no stone will be left unturned in restoring the values and traditions of the Seat of the Caliphate.
“Also, this move is in cognisance of the ethos and values of the Nigerian Army.”
There have been incessant complaints from various quarters about the sale of illegal substances at the various mammy markets located within army barracks across the country, with majority of the customers being youth, including women.
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, had on December 7, urged the army commander, Nwosu, during the latter’s courtesy visit to the Sultan’s palace, to see to it that all such illegal drugs shops were closed down
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the issue of drug abuse among youths was the centre point of a meeting of the Sokoto State Security Council on December 8.
Residents that were interviewed by journalists commended Nwosu for the ban, saying that drug abuse was destroying the future of the youth of the state and Nigeria in general.