In a bold push to curb the rising menace of drug abuse and criminality, the Executive Chairman of Damaturu Local Government, Alhaji Bukar Adamu, has launched a sweeping crackdown on drug dens and brothels in the Yobe State capital and its outskirts. The move follows Governor Mai Mala Buni’s zero-tolerance directive on drug-related crimes across the state.
The coordinated operation, revealed in a Thursday statement by Yusuf Ali, the Focal Person for Digital and Strategic Communications to the Yobe State Government, was carried out in conjunction with key security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Armed with actionable intelligence, the enforcement team stormed several notorious areas known for open drug abuse and trafficking—namely Zango, YBC, Bakin Kasuwa, Maduri, and Daki Goma.
During the raid, several suspects were arrested with quantities of suspected illicit substances. Alhaji Bukar Adamu emphasized that this exercise is not a one-off event but part of a larger, continuous campaign to dismantle the criminal networks operating in Damaturu.
“This action is in full compliance with Governor Buni’s directive. Drug abuse is not just a health issue—it’s fuelling insecurity, destroying our youth, and threatening the peace of our communities. We must act,” Adamu said.
The NDLEA, in a separate statement, confirmed the raid and the arrests made, stressing that the agency is working tirelessly to disrupt both supply and demand chains for illegal drugs in the state. “This is just the beginning,” the agency noted. “Low-level dealers, users, and their enablers will all face justice. Our goal is to clean up the streets and restore calm.”
Residents of Damaturu have welcomed the action, expressing hope that the sustained efforts will break the cycle of drug-related violence and crime that has plagued some parts of the city.
The Yobe State Government has called on citizens to support the crackdown by reporting suspicious activities and protecting their communities from the grip of narcotics.
