The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has lamented a boom in illicit drug business in the state, saying drugs are being hawked like sachet water.
Newspot reports that Callys Alumona, the new Commander of of the agency, made the remarks on Thursday during a visit to the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City.
Alumona, who said the agency had visited some hotspots for the sale of illicit drugs in Benin metropolis, noted that drugs are being hawked like pure water in the areas.
According to him, “We have been to Ihama and Country Home Hotel Roads and other hotspots for sale of illicit drugs in the State. What we saw was not pleasing at all. Drugs are being hawked like pure water in these areas.
“This experience has led us to begin to raid some of these places identified. We have raided Ihama about three times to get these people.”
He added that about 12 drug abusers have been apprehended and are currently being rehabilitated.
He also added that about 14,000 tonnes of cannabis sativa have been destroyed in the state while about 153,000 kilograms of cannabis and other assorted drugs have been mopped up from the streets.
In his remarks, Obaseki accused some officers of the agency of being responsible for the boom of illicit drug business in the state, alleging that they collude with sellers and users.
Obaseki, represented by his Chief of Staff, Osaigbovo Iyoha, said there were over 15 hotspots where illicit drugs are being traded that the government are monitoring.
He said some of the officers of the agency allegedly came to the hotspots for settlement and allow the illicit business to continue.
“I can show you the hotspots around Benin City. We have over 15 hotspots which we are monitoring. The drug business is troubling because some officers collude with these drug sellers and users.
“They come into these hotspots to request for settlement and allow the illicit business to continue. In doing this, lives are being destroyed.
“A breach of intelligence report may have been responsible for the death of some of your men in Edo North during one of your operations to raid drug spots”, he alleged.
Obaseki also alleged that a breach of intelligence report may have been responsible for the death of some officials of the agency during one of their operations to raid drug spots in Edo North.
He said his government is strengthening collaboration with the NDLEA and other sister security agencies to improve strategies and efforts at combating the drug menace in the State.
While adding that the state government was empowering youths in the State to discourage them from substance abuse and other social vices, he commended the new commander for raiding hotspots in the State and other efforts to end the menace in Edo.
“The issue of drugs for us is a problem that we are taking seriously as an administration because the drug problem leads to other criminal activities. Most accidents occur as a result of the abuse and use of drugs.
“Government is taking the issue of drug abuse seriously. We have visited Col. Buba Maruwa in Abuja to discuss how to rid the State of illicit drugs. It is important that you have visited Ihama, Country Home Hotel Roads, and other locations, because that shows that you are ready to work. We thank you and want to let you know that there is more work to be done.
“We are ready to provide the necessary support needed for you to succeed in this fight against drug abuse in the State.
“You have a lot to do as we will collaborate with you and other sister security agencies to win the war against this drug issue. Nobody can do it alone. Synergy will help us succeed and win against all odds”, he added.
Newspot reported that the NDLEA officials were in government house to brainstorm and chart ways to strengthen the war against illicit drugs in the State.
Recall that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, had on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 while parading some suspects also lamented boom in illegal arms in the state.
“We have observed that some unscrupulous elements have turned this state to a situation where guns are just like catapults. These are not good for the society and we are not going to allow it.
“In this state, it is quite astonishing and almost unbelievable that people are now carrying arms. These were recovered within a spate of four days from different parts of the state. This is absolutely scaring and we will not allow it.
“If you have arms with license, come to renew your license. For now, we are moping all arms,” he stated.
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