Nasarawa Government Reaffirms Commitment To Fighting Illicit Drugs
The Nasarawa State Government says it is committed to fighting illicit drug use by engaging in human capital development.
Governor Abdullahi Sule gave the assurance during a sensitisation programme organised by Zone 4 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for stakeholders in the drug control sector, held at the Justice Sidi Bage Federal Secretariat, Lafia.
Represented by the Commissioner of Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, Dr. Margret Intake Elayo, Governor Abdullahi Sule explained that the fight against illicit drugs is a collective effort that requires the collaboration of all stakeholders to make society a better place.
Governor Sule noted that part of the effort was the human capital development drive, evident in the establishment of skills and technology centres, which in turn create job opportunities for the teeming youths. He encouraged parents to monitor the activities of their children and what they consume daily, just as he commended the staggering statistics recorded by the Zonal NDLEA in reducing the menace.
For the Zonal Assistant Commander of the drug agency, Viashima Bridget, Esq., eight hundred and ten suspects were involved in the trafficking, distribution and retail sales of illicit substances across Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa States, while the agency equally secured four hundred and fifty-five convictions in the year under review.
Dwelling on the theme of the year, “Act Now, Save Lives,” Viashima Bridget revealed that 14.4 percent of Nigerians aged 15 to 64 are using drugs such as cannabis and opium, with Tramadol being the major concern, calling for vigilance, especially during the Ember Months.
For the resource person, retired Commander of Narcotics, Abu Danlami, Nigeria has transformed from a transit route to a producer of illicit drugs. He called for strong synergy among sister agencies to fight bad elements in society and tasked religious leaders to join the fight against illicit substances.
In their separate remarks, representatives of the sister security agencies pledged their commitment to the fight against illicit substances, admitting that it requires a collective effort to make society habitable.
