No fewer than 158 persons have arrested for drug-related offences in 2020 in Katsina, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Monday.

The NDLEA further disclosed that it secured 16 convictions from those prosecuted for the drug-related offences within the period.

The NDLEA Commander for Katsina, Mr Sule Momodu, made the revelation at a press conference to mark the 2020 United Nations day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

He said all those arrested and convicted were all males, adding that the convictions also ranged from three months to two years for those prosecuted.

Momodu further disclosed that the agency seized 361.15 kg of assorted hard drugs during the period.

The NDLEA Katsina Commander said the agency also counselled no fewer than 120 people on the risks involved in hard drugs consumption.

Momodu said the agency was able to achieve all these despite the challenges facing the agency.

He highlighted the challenges to include a dearth of operational vehicles, declaring

“We are determined to achieve despite all the challenges we are facing. But I know, given more support, we shall achieve more.”

The Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Masari on illicit drugs and human trafficking, Alhaji Hamza Borodo, in his address at the occasion, said the state had opened three reformatory centres for victims of hard drugs in Funtua, Katsina and Daura where they are counselled to shun drug consumption.

The Special Adviser assured that the state would continue to assist the NDLEA within available resources.