By Adedapo Adesanya
The chief executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Buba Marwa, has called for collaboration to tackle the expected surge in substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria as the country’s youth population grows.
He made this call when he held a meeting with the Governor of Delta State, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, at the Government House in Asaba, the state capital during his three-day working visit which ended last Friday.
He stated that for Nigeria to defeat the twin evil of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, Nigerians must rise in unison to stamp out the scourge from communities and cities across the country.
Explaining his mission to the Governor and members of his executive council, Mr Marwa said he’s visiting the state to personally condole the family of Mr Fidelis Omhonrina over the tragedy of the unintended death of young Ivan and the wounding of his brother, Eromosele, as a result of a ricocheted bullet that strayed 600 metres away from the scene of an NDLEA encounter with some notorious drug dealers on July 13, in Asaba.
He said he was equally in the state to assess the operational needs of the Delta state command and Delta Ports command of the agency with a view to mobilizing officers and men of the two formations to go all out for drug cartels operating in the state.
He also added that his third mission was to rally stakeholders key to a successful fight against the drug menace in Delta with a 2018 prevalence rate of 18 per cent.
According to him, with a projected rate of 40 per cent rise in drug abuse in Africa by 2030, all well-meaning Nigerians and organisations must unite behind the anti-narcotics agency in its ongoing renewed efforts in drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction.
Mr Marwa asked for logistics support for the two commands in the state, setting up of drug control committees from state, to local government and community levels as well as provision of rehabilitation centres in each of the three senatorial zones of the state.
He commended the governor for his good works within a short time in office and his commitment to the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.
In his response, Governor Oborevwori celebrated his guest for always providing quality leadership and unflinching dedication to duty in all national assignments assigned to him.
“We know your antecedents as military governor in Borno and Lagos state. Under your leadership, NDLEA has recorded successes in going after drug cartels. This momentum must be sustained if we have to win the war against illicit drugs,” he added.
The Governor said “Nigerians are appreciative of what you’re doing in NDLEA, please don’t relent and don’t be discouraged. Those involved in the illicit drug business must be dealt with.”
