EMIR SEEKS STIFF PENALTY FOR DRUG OFFENDERS

Katsina - The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Kabir Usman has advocated stringent
punishment for anybody found to be involved in drug related offences in the
country.

The Emir made this plea yesterday while receiving the officers of NDLEA who
embarked on "drug walk" to his palace in Katsina.

He said leaders at various levels of governance in the state have resolved
to support the NDLEA in stamping out drug consumption among youth in the
state, saying that war against hard drug is a war in the right direction.

The monarch warned citizens in the state against habit of consuming drugs
which, he said, could endanger their lives and that of their family and
pledged the support of traditional rulers in the state for the campaign
against drug consumption in the state.

Earlier, the NDLEA Zonal Commander Alhaji Idris Musbabu Idris had told the
emir that over 100 youth have been rehabilitated in Katsina state while
about 45 drug traffickers are now being prosecuted in law courts in the
zone while fifteen others are awaiting trial.

The zonal commander pointed out that "walk against drug abuse and
trafficking" organised by NDLEA in collaboration with NYSC drug free club
in the state was aimed at reducing the menace of drug abuse among youth in
the country.