SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Borno State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized and destroyed 19,234 kilograms of Nicotine and illicit substance intercepted from drug traffickers, couriers and users within the state, in line with constitutional provision of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Chairman, National Drugs Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Col. Mohammed Abdallah (rtd) said those most affected by the illicit drugs and substances are the youths, which are the future of the nation, stressing that governments at all levels must invest heavily in rehabilitation and treatment of victims of drugs and illicit substance users.
He commended the military, police, NSCDC and other security agencies for the collaboration and synergy, while urging them to continue to work together, he said fight against illicit drugs and substance is a collective one.
The NDLEA chairman said “I am delighted to attend the destruction of Nicotine and illicit substances seized by the Borno state command of the NDLEA. The first time since my assumption as the chairman of the Agency. What you are seeing here today it could have been consumed by our youths.
“To us in NDLEA this illicit substances are worthless, because our job.is to safeguard every single life, whatever it cost, is not important to us and we don’t care. Our job in NDLEA is to ensure, that drugs and illicit substances are destroyed and all their dealers, couriers and transporters are kept out of business”, Abdullah said.
According to the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, “today we are witnessing yet another milestone in Borno by destroying about 20,000 kilograms of Nicotine and illicit drugs and substance.
“This is a great achievement for us in Borno. Recent media reports indicates that Kano, Borno and Niger states have the highest cases of drugs and illicit substances. This worrisome because the users are mostly our youths who are our future, hence we need to.do something urgently to safe our Future”
“The consequences of these are the challenges of raping, Gender Base Violence kidnapping and other security challenges we are witnessing today. Therefore there is need for collective efforts and collaboration to fight the menace.
“I urge all stakeholders especially NDLEA, police, customs, NAFDAC, Pharmacy council of Nigeria to work collective, as the mind drugs and illicit substances traffickers and users are dynamic”, Zulum said.
He assured that his administration will continue to support and partner with the agency to eradicate drugs and illicit substances in the state and country at large general.
Also speaking, the Borno state Chairman of the Task Force Against Illicit Drugs and Substances and the Attorney General of the state, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan said, “His Excellency, Governor Babagana Zulum has directed that all expired drugs should be mobbed out of all General hospital both government and private hospitals..
He also approved the destruction of all drugs and other illicit substances in the custody of the police.’
Earlier in his welcome address, the Borno State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Joseph Iche said “, today we are witnessing the destruction of 19. 234 kilograms of drugs and Illicit substances worth billions of Naira, which consists of cannabis Sativa , cocaine, heroin, expired drugs and other illicit substances intercepted and sized in the state.”
He thanked the NDLEA Chairman for his support and mentoring without which the achievement could not be possible and also commended the Borno state government, the military and other sister security agencies for the synergy and urged them to continue to work with the NDLEA.