The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday, embarked on a road walk with other organisations in Lokoja, Kogi capital, to sensitise residents on the dangers of illicit drugs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NDLEA Commander in the state, Umar Yahuza, Wife of Gov. Ahmed Ododo, Commissioner of Police in the state and other government officials led the walk in commemoration of the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse.
The walk, which began from the Paparanda Roundabout, moved through IBB Way and ended at the Government House, Lokoja, amidst shouts and dances by members of the Nigeria Youth Service Corps, who also participated.
Yahuza described the walk as a “pointer and warning ” to residents of Kogi, particularly youths, on dangers of drug abuse and trafficking in the society.
“We are on the streets today to draw attention of residents, especially youths that illicit drugs destroy lives and future.
” The NDLEA is doing its best to curb abuse and trafficking of hard drugs in Kogi, to save lives from destruction.
“The agency, in its operations from January to June in the state, has successfully arrested 129 suspects and seized a total of 282.3 Kg of illicit drugs, ” he said.
The commander appealed to the state government to, as a matter of urgency, build a rehabilitation and skills acquisition centre for addicts to be rescued and made valuable to society.
He disclosed that in six months, 146 drug-dependent individuals, including 40 individuals referred by their families, had received brief counselling interventions and had since been reintegrated into society.
Yahuza, who thanked the state government for its support and assistance, warned illicit drug users and traffickers to stop the dastardly act or face the wrath of the law, stating that there’s no room for criminals and criminality in the state.
The wife of Kogi governor, Hajiya Sefinat Ododo, pledged to ensure that the rehabilitation and skills acquisition centre is built during the tenure of her husband.
The governor’s wife, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Ms Comfort Ojoma-Nwuchiola, said that a bill for establishment of the centre is before the house and would become reality when passed.
“As a mother, I’m not happy seeing any resident of the state being suffocated by illicit drugs. We value our residents, particularly the youths, who are the leaders of tomorrow.
“I commend the NDLEA for the tremendous work they are doing to ensure we are all safe from the dangers of illicit drugs, and ensure a peaceful and developed state, ” she said. NAN
