The Kano State Commander of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Hamza Umar, on Thursday said his officers had raided and cleared five major drug joints in the metropolis.

Umar said the operations were aimed at reducing the use of drugs among youths in the ancient city, especially during the festive period.

The areas where the raids were carried out include: Kofar Nasarawa, Dan-agundi, Kofar Ruwa, Plaza and Island in Nasarawa area.

“Festivities are characterised by activities of youths, therefore, we had to take measures to make sure that the drug use will not increase,” the NDLEA boss said.

He noted that the use of drugs also results in the increase of crime in the society as “Most of the major crimes committed by the youths are out of the influence of drug use.

“During festive periods like now, drug users take it more because they say it is the end of the year and they will not take again until new year,” Umar added.

He stressed that the operation was not a one-off affair as operatives of the agency will maintain active presence every day in the areas that have been flagged as red zones.

“During this period, the agency will embark on daily checking, especially at the areas the traffickers use in conveying the different types of drugs” he said.

This would ensure that the youths do not regroup and continue their nefarious activities.

Umar also disclosed that the NDLEA in Kano state has adopted another strategy of collaborating with traditional rulers to ensure that the anti-drug abuse campaign get to the various rural communities.

According to him, the effort has started yielding positive results as the traditional rulers had set up groups made up of volunteers to identify drug users in their communities.

The NDLEA commandant also said that the agency has begun a sensitisation programme to enlighten the public on the negative effects of drug abuse.

He called on the people to always provide the agency with appropriate information that could lead to the arrest of drug users in order to ensure a safer society.