The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended 36 suspects during a special operation conducted ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in Kano State, according to a statement released on Sunday.

NDLEA spokesperson in Kano, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, revealed that the arrests were made during a two-day raid carried out on May 30 and 31 across several locations in the state, including Makabartar Dan'agundi, Kwari, Kofar Na'isa, and Kano Line.

The operation, personally led by the state commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, was aimed at ensuring a peaceful and drug-free Sallah celebration in Kano.

"We arrested 36 suspects and recovered different types of illegal drugs, including cannabis sativa, 'suck and die', diazepam, rubber solution, and others," Muhammad-Maigatari stated.

Call for Responsible Celebration

Commander Idris-Ahmad expressed gratitude to the officers who participated in the operation and extended Sallah greetings to Kano residents, urging them to celebrate responsibly.

"On behalf of the Chairman and CEO of the agency, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), we send our best wishes to the good people of Kano for a safe and drug-free Sallah celebration," he said.

The NDLEA commander also issued a stern warning against the sale and use of illicit substances, encouraging residents to report any drug-related criminal activities to the appropriate authorities.

This operation comes as part of ongoing efforts by the NDLEA to combat drug abuse in Kano, which reportedly ranks second nationwide in drug abuse prevalence according to recent agency statistics.

The pre-Sallah raid aligns with similar security measures being implemented across various states to ensure peaceful celebrations during the Islamic festival.