The bulldozers for the ongoing
nationwide exhibit burning of illicit drugs seized from the local drug barons
and traffickers last week screeched to a halt in Kano State capital, Kano, with
its entire funfair.
Governor of Kano State, Rabiu
Musa Kwankwaso was on hand to receive the team of the anti-drug agency and
other stakeholders in the state. Chairman Chief Executive of the National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade led stakeholders to the venue of
the exhibit burning which took place in public. However, after the traditional
protocols and speeches, over 10,488.61kg of drugs
seized by the anti-drug agency in Kano State was destroyed.
The drugs valued at two hundred and twenty-two
million naira (N222m), were destroyed in the city of Kano in line with a
Federal High Court order mandating the NDLEA to destroy the drugs before the
public.
According to the NDLEA Kano
State Command, cannabis topped the list of the destroyed drugs. It was recorded
that the cannabis popularly called Indian hemp, has the largest chunk of the
drugs with 9,906.859kg.
Psychotropic substance took second position with 570.936kg, while heroin was in the range
of 0.0268 grammes. Methamphetamine
was estimated to be in the chunk of 7.54kg while cocaine is 3kg.
“The Agency also won 377
convictions with respect to the seized drugs”, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency’s
Public Relations Officer stated.
Kano State Governor who was
impressed with the seizures promised to build a drug Rehabilitation Centre to
address the problem of drug abuse in Kano.
“I am happy that the newly
constituted anti-drug control committee has made significant results by
dislodging drug dealers in Kano. The State government will in addition to the
six vehicles donated to the drug control task force construct a drug
Rehabilitation Centre for the Agency. We shall continue to support the NDLEA in
eradicating illicit drugs from the State”, Governor promised.
Kwankwaso stated that the State
Government would partner with the NDLEA in making Kano drug-free.
Hear him. “We are hopeful that
the level of support the State is giving to the NDLEA will bring about a
positive change in the status of the State. I look forward to a Kano State
without drug abuse and drug trafficking problem”.
The NDLEA boss told the Kano
State governor that exhibit destruction is one of the pivotal responsibilities
of the NDLEA. In his words, “exhibit destruction is the last event in our
operational cycle. The Agency’s operations begin with information gathering and
processing. This is followed by arrest, investigation and subsequent
prosecution of accused persons. It is after conviction that the drugs are
forfeited for destruction”.
Giade noted that substance abuse
induces criminal and anti-social behaviour hence the need for strict control.
“Drug abuse reduces inhibition and makes drug users to engage in unprotected
sex as well as sharing of needles. This increases the risk of HIV/AIDS and
hepatitis infection. Equally disturbing is the fact that criminal acts like
murder, rape, arson and terrorism are perpetuated under the influence of these
drugs. We must therefore ensure strict control measures”.
NDLEA Kano commander, Ahmadu
Garba described the abuse of uncontrolled substances like rubber solution in
the State as disturbing. In his words, “the abuse of rubber solution and other
uncontrolled substances as well as the seizure of over 10.4 tons of narcotics
are very disturbing. If not for the timely intervention of the Agency, the harm
it would have caused to mankind is better imagined”.
The Agency vowed to incapacitate
drug trafficking cartels by permanently taking away narcotics from the society.
“NDLEA remains committed to the
dismantling of drug trafficking syndicates. We shall continue to cut off drug
supply to addicts and keep our society safe and secure by publicly destroying
forfeited drugs. The prosecution of drug traffickers and timely forfeiture of
ill-gotten drug proceeds shall also be vigorously pursued,” Giade assured.
The NDLEA Chairman thanked the
governor for his unwavering support to the Agency. “Let me sincerely thank the
Kano State government under the pragmatic leadership of Alhaji Rabiu Musa
Kwankwaso. Besides the reorganization of the drug control committee, six
vehicles and other logistic support were also received from the State
government towards the anti-narcotic campaign”.
While promising to keep Kano
State and the entire country drug-free Giade called on parents to inculcate
discipline in their children. “The Agency is winning the war and will deploy
all resources at its disposal in the fight against narcotics. I charge parents
to train up their children properly. Their primary responsibility is to
inculcate discipline and fear of God in them. Parents must also know the type
of association their children keep. These checks will help to guide them
against negative influences that could make them to traffic and abuse drugs”
the Chairman added.
The destruction event was
attended by the State Governor, members of the State Executive council, heads
of organizations and youth associations. The list of dignitaries includes
Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, the Wamban Kano who represented the Emir of Kano, the
honourable Commissioner for Health, Kano State, and Dr Abubakar Yusuf Labaran,
heads of security Agencies and members of the National Youth Service Corps
(NYSC). It would be recalled that the agency few weeks ago in Oyo State carried
out similar action to rid the ancient city of drugs and criminality. Governor
Ajimobi led other stakeholders in setting ablaze 14,632.386kg of forfeited drug
exhibits in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. The event was in compliance with a Federal High Court order that the drugs be destroyed
publicly.
Ajimobi who
received Giade in his office shortly before proceeding to the burning site
along Ibadan-Lagos expressway promised to fund public enlightenment campaign
against cannabis cultivation and drug abuse in all local government areas in
the State.
According to
the Governor, “there is a nexus between drugs and crime. We must do everything
possible to support the Agency. I have approved a sensitization campaign
programme against cannabis cultivation and drug abuse in all local government
areas in the State. The State is also going to construct a drug rehabilitation
centre to address the problem of drug addiction”.
NDLEA
Chairman while giving a breakdown of the drug said that the exercise will help
to deter illicit drug trafficking.
“Destroying drugs publicly is one of the
Agency’s strategies of incapacitating drug trafficking cartels. It is a
reassurance that illicit drugs will end up in the furnace. The burnt drugs
consist of 14,624.664kg of cannabis, 7.050kg of psychotropic substance, 603.5
grammes of heroin and 69 grammes of cocaine” Giade stated.
“In 2006,
the Agency destroyed 2, 000kg of drugs.
The largest quantity of 80,050kg was
destroyed in 2008, while in 2011, 27,400kgwas
also destroyed. Today’s exercise will bring the total quantity of drugs
destroyed in the State since 2006 to 124, 082.386kg”,
over 124,000kg of drugs has been burnt in the State since 2006 to 2013”. Giade
explained.
He pledged
the agency’s commitment towards a safe and secured society through public
enlightenment and strict drug law enforcement. “We shall intensify efforts in
preventing cannabis crop cultivation in the country. While appealing to farmers
not to cultivate cannabis; the Agency will continue to trace, destroy cannabis
farms and prosecute perpetrators” Giade further stated.
NDLEA
Commander in the State, Mrs Omolade Faboyede lamented the use of drugs among
the youth especially commercial drivers. “Oyo State has a frightening drug
abuse problem but we have dismantled several drug joints where drugs are
abused”, she stated. According to her, Beere, Oja-oba, Ayeye, Olomi Academy and
Sabo all within the State are notorious for drug abuse and trafficking.
The NDLEA’s boss added that
reputable bodies like the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations
Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and European Union are working to address the
serious security threat posed by drug trafficking in the region.
Royal
fathers, teachers, opinion leaders, parents, corporate organizations and
individuals were called upon to support the anti-drug campaign. Stakeholders
were also urged to support the campaign against illicit drugs in Nigeria.
Present at
the event are Senator Ayo Adeseun, representing Oyo Central, Brigadier General
Laz Iloh, Air Commodore Kayode Adedeji, Deputy Commissioner of Police Clement
Adoda and other notable guests.
In October,
NDLEA in the Federal Capital Territory, destroyed narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances weighing 7,248.529kg which valued at N1.9bn.
The NDLEA Head of
Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the drugs forfeited exhibits seized
by both the FCT and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport commands of the
agency.
Chairman of the
NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, who led other dignitaries in setting the drugs ablaze,
also gave the breakdown of the drugs.
He said the public
burning of the drugs was in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
Cannabis took the largest share of the drugs at 7,183.5kg; psychotropic
substances, 40.9kg; cocaine, 18.254kg; methamphetamine 4.7kg and heroin
1.175kg.
Giade said, “This
exercise is a victory for the country. It is a demonstration of the
agency’s capacity to confront drug barons and confiscate the drugs which they
so much cherish but which also destroy our youth.
“It also
underscores the worthlessness of dealing in narcotics, knowing that the drugs
will ultimately go down the drain just as the drugs are being reduced to ashes
this day.”
FCT Minister,
Senator Bala Mohammed, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security,
Col. A.S Kudu (retd.), urged all the area council chiefs to support the NDLEA.
FCT Commander of
the NDLEA, Mr. Dennis Obiefule, said the command had successfully rehabilitated
68 drug-dependent persons.
He said, “The FCT
Command, between January and October 2013, successfully counselled and
rehabilitated 68 drug-dependent persons, who have also been re-united with
their family members.”
A total of
1,404.27 hectares of cannabis plantations were said to have been discovered and
destroyed by the NDLEA in 2012.
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