NDLEA advocates collective fight against drug abuse

Arrests 755 drug traffickers in Taraba, Kogi, Delta

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has advocated human-centred policies to tackle drug abuse.

The agency stressed that although the challenges associated with drug abuse are complex, they remain solvable if appropriate measures and policies are implemented.

Commander of the NDLEA in Imo, Mr. Abubakar Wali, stated this at an inter-school competition organised by the agency in Owerri, as part of activities marking the year 2023 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Wali, a Commander of Narcotics, harped on the need for a people-centred approach to drug policies, with a focus on human rights, compassion and evidence based practices.

He advised the participating students to embrace the message of having a drug free society and to remain worthy ambassadors of the War Against Drug Abuse.

Also, the Command’s Assistant State Commander, Operations and Training, Lamuwa Shehu, laid emphasis on realistic prevention strategies such as abstinence from early drug abuse to prevent complications.

He advised the public to deal with only qualified personnel in matters of drug abuse, while condemning all forms of stigma against drug users.

A representative of Evergreen Pharmaceuticals, Orlu, Patricia Okwatibe, advised pharmaceutical outlets to insist on a doctor’s prescription for drug administration as a way of reducing the spate of drug abuse.

Managing Director, Amber City Hotels, Owerri, Ifeanyi Nwadike, also advised hotel owners, to be wary of persons granted accommodation in their facilities and the activities of such persons, to checkmate the menace of drug abuse.

One of the participating students, Miss Augusta Emecheta of Ihitenansa Secondary School, Orsu, thanked the NDLEA for the programme and pledged to take the campaign against drug abuse home.

The participating schools include: Emekuku High School; Owerri City College; Young Scientists College, Owerri; Imo Government Girls Secondary School; Emmanuel College, Owerri; Government Technical College, Owerri and Santa Maria Secondary School, Assah, among others.

Meanwhile, Taraba State command of the Agency said it arrested 107 suspects for various drug offences between January till date.

The state Commandant, Nanzing Sallah, who disclosed this at the grand finale celebration of the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, said only one female was among the suspects.

He said the Command seized a total of 1,067.423kg of different types of illicit drugs, which include Cannabis sativa and other psychotropic substances.

According to him, the Command also secured the conviction of 12 suspects, attracting various jail terms, while other cases are still under prosecution at the Federal High Court, in Jalingo.

The Commandant expressed sadness at the way and manner men of the command have been attacked and sometimes mobbed while on operations.

Earlier, the first lady of the state, Agyin Kefas, who was decorated as the grand patron of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), reiterated her commitment to join forces with the agency in order to end drug abuse in the state.

In Kogi State, the Agency Commandant, Abbdulkadir Fakai Abdullahi, called on the government and all stakeholders to work towards the eradication of drug abuse and trafficking in the country.

He stated this during the grand finale of a week-long activities in celebration of the 2023 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and trafficking with the theme: “People First, Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”

While describing the drug situation in the country as disturbing, he noted that it has grave implications on security, economy and general wellbeing of the people.

He said the theme of the celebration was particularly pertinent to the Nigeria situation at the moment, saying that it is important to state that stigmatisation discourages drug users from seeking treatment, a development, which has serious socio-economic repercussions for individuals and their families.

Abdullahi said the Command recorded seizure of 1,699,199kg of assorted drugs, arrested 90 suspects and counselled several drug users as well as reintegrated them with their families and society.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of Chachavivi Women and Girl Child Development Foundation, Halimat Oiza Sadiq, called for more proactive steps in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole.

Also, the Agency arrested 558 suspects and secured the conviction of 75 persons for drug related offences in Delta State within a year.

The State Commander, Tunde John, while highlighting the operations of the agency, explained that drug supply control and drug demand monitoring actions by the agency had led to their arrest and the seizure of exhibits amounting to over three tons.

He also stressed that within the period under review, Cannabis farmlands measured over 25 hectares were destroyed by the agency.

“This year alone, we have destroyed three major Cannabis farmlands measured at about 25. 16 hectares,” he added.
Abiri, said there should be measures put in place to eradicate the abuse of drugs.

She said there are some drugs that are legal and some that are illegal, adding that the legal drugs, which are addictive should be prescribed by a doctor to a patient and the patient must have the sense of responsibility of not using it more than the prescribed dosage.