The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Sokoto State Command has arrested a drug dealer for allegedly masterminding the murder of one of their operatives in January of this year.

 

Following a coordinated operation including several security forces, the dealer was apprehended in Bagarawa village on Thursday.

 

Iro Mohammed, the agency’s commander, informed reporters that the operative was murdered during a raid on the suspect’s hideout in January of this year.

 

Mohammed noted, “They raided his hideout in the village and arrested him, but while leaving the village, the suspect raised the alarm. So, our men were surrounded by the villagers who maimed and killed one of our officers with matchets and the suspect escaped.

 

“This is the problem we are facing. Some of our communities shield drug dealers because of relationship.

 

They know what they are doing. They know what they do for a living and how they are spoiling their children but still shield them from arrest.”

 

The commander also revealed the arrest of 59 other suspects, including four women.

 

According to him, the individuals were apprehended in several drug dens around the state.

 

He added, “This followed the matching order given by the state governor that security agencies should jointly raid suspected hideouts of criminals. Some of the suspects are dealers while some are users of drugs. After investigation, we will prosecute them while the users, we will rehabilitated.