by S’ola Filani

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 11 children – seven girls and four boys – and the manager of a hotel in Kaduna over alleged drug abuse and trafficking.

The children  were arrested in a hotel room taking psychotropic substance.

The Kaduna State Commander of the agency, Mohammed Jibrin, disclosed this in Kaduna while briefing journalists on activities marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, this afternoon.

He said eight of the arrested children were still in junior classes, adding that their parents had been invited to the command for questioning and counselling.

“Hard drug abuse is a universal phenomenon that cuts across all levels and strata of the society; It is no respecter of age, sex, religion, ethnicity or nationality.

“However, a greater percentage of those that fall prey to this nefarious scourge is the youth.

“The fact that the youths represent the future workforce and leaders in any society makes it absolutely necessary to find lasting solution to the drug phenomenon,” he said.

Jibrin disclosed that between January and May, the command arrested 210 drug suspects, including five female, with various illicit drugs weighing over 1074.02kg.

He said that 80 of them had been convicted and were serving various prison term.