Edo NDLEA declare war on cannabis

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State are working out modalities to address the problem of cannabis proliferation in the sate. Oshiomhole who admitted the NDLEA into the State Security Council stressed that fighting the drug war will reduce crime in our society. While re-echoing the call for a drug free society, stakeholders at the public destruction of 79,700 kilogrammes of forfeited drug exhibits valued at 569 million naira at Idogbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Council near Benin City on Friday were unanimous in their call for the scarcity of illicit drugs particularly cannabis which is locally produced and abused in the country.

From right, NDLEA Director General, Anthony Nosakhare, Directors of Assets Femi Ajayi, Victor Egbase and NDLEA’s Director of Operations, Baba Husseini

Giade assured Nigerians that the Agency will continue to break the chain of cannabis production and supply in the country. The anti-drug boss stressed that deliberate and concerted drug control efforts are being directed at cannabis plantations and warehouses where the drug is stored before distribution to dealers.
The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade who was represented at the event by the Director General of the Agency, Mr. Femi Ajayi stressed that cutting supply of drugs to addicts on the streets is a top priority of the Agency. “Regular arrests and seizures of drugs leading to public destruction will assist in halting cannabis proliferation in the country.
Our primary target is to cut off supply to the cannabis users on the streets. This public burning of seized drugs reaffirms our hope for a strategic and steady push towards a drug free society. This is a strong warning to drug barons that their cherished drugs will end up in flames and reduced to ashes while they gnash their teeth in prison.” Giade assured. A total of 59 major drug traffickers were convicted in connection with the forfeited drugs intercepted within the State since March 2009.
He called on stakeholders in the State to join forces with the NDLEA rather than see the Agency as a Federal establishment that is alien to the State. In his words, “it must be noted that though we are a Federal Agency, we are doing our job in the interest of the State where we operate. Any assistance rendered by the State Government is assistance rendered to the people living in the State. Effective drug control operates on the platform of shared responsibility”.
Giade also stated that one of the predisposing factors to heinous crimes like murder, rape, arson, armed robbery and violence is drug abuse. He therefore called for support from members of the public. “We must remain united in our resolve to resist such acts that threaten our peace. This is a clarion call for us to be wary of the consequences of drug trafficking and know what steps to take”. He listed the consequences of drug use to include road accidents and premature deaths. “It is worthy of note that drug addiction is partly responsible for road accidents that claim lives of commuters. Several industrial and domestic accidents resulting in amputation and sudden deaths are also rooted in drug misuse and addiction. Legitimate business men and women suffer from the effects of laundered illicit drug proceeds.
We cannot afford to ignore the pervasive lethal consequences of illicit drugs” the NDLEA boss stated.
Cannabis cultivation was condemned by stakeholders who called for increased food production and actualisation of vision 20, 2020. According to Giade, “it is regrettable that some farmers had abandoned staple food like yams and cassava that the State is known to produce in commercial quantity for cannabis cultivation. On no account must we allow the activities of these drug cartels to undermine food production efforts in the State. This battle is crucial to the actualisation of the national economic vision of becoming one of the 20 most industrialised countries by the year 2020”.
The NDLEA Chairman warned drug barons that their criminal activities will not go unpunished. “Let me warn that land owners that permit the use of their premises for illicit drug activities shall be prosecuted in accordance with the NDLEA Act. Any carrier by land, air or sea that engages in narcotic smuggling is liable. Individuals who work in cannabis plantations and/or cannabis ware houses will also not go scot-free. Those that help to recruit traffickers, package drugs and engage in facilitating shipment of illicit drugs have infringed on the Act. No one engaged in the long chain of drug trade shall be spared”.
Edo State is the forth in the series of exhibit destruction carried out by the anti-drug Agency this year. This event will bring the total quantity of drugs destroyed since January to 134,412.598kg. The Agency had previously destroyed drugs in three States this year. At Lokoja, Kogi State 10,001.26kg was destroyed. Akure in Ondo State was next with 36,740.52kg while in Badagry, Lagos State, 7,970.8182kg was equally destroyed.
The Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who was the Special Guest of honour at the occasion stated that the State government appreciates the role of drug control in security management. “Drug control is crucial to crime reduction and I have incorporated the NDLEA into the State Security Council”. Oshiomhole commended the NDLEA for the large seizures which he described as mindboggling. He however tasked the NDLEA to strengthen community leaders at the grass root level to help tackle the problem of drugs in the State. The Governor was represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Anthony Nosakhare.
NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mr. Fred Eziorah lamented the abuse of cannabis by Junior Secondary School students in the State. “Our regular raids on drug flash points within the State have revealed that Junior Secondary School students are among cannabis users. This is sad. We call on the people of the State to work with the Edo Command of the Agency in addressing the drug problem” Eziorah appealed.

Source : www.vanguardngr.com