by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded notable amounts of seizures of 605kg of illicit drugs and also 650 suspects arrested of peddlers in the state within the first quarter of the year.
The State’s Commander of Narcotics of the Agency, Mr. Umar Yahuza, disclosed this, while speaking with journalists in his office in an interview as he commemorated the UN Drug Day.
While urging drug peddlers and users to desist or expect consequences for their actions, the NDLEA Commander said the United Nations International Day against drug abuse and illegal drug trade is observed annually, on 26th of June, with the 2023 theme, ‘People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention.’
He observed that, because they believe that, if there is no demand then there won’t be supply, and if the people will not patronise drug dealers, naturally they will abandon the trade.
He appealed to the general public to “please join NDLEA in this fight against illicit trafficking and abuse, so we can deter our youths from further indulging into the act.”
He warned the drug dealers that they should avoid this path, they should abandon the trade, saying that, “It is an illegal and outlawed business prohibited by law. If they don’t abandon the trade, NDLEA will come after them, and surely they will be charged to court; they will face the wrath of the law.”
Mr. Yahuza stated that “Today marks culmination of a weeklong series of events in commemoration of the UN Drug Day,” saying that, they had earlier held a sensitization walk through the State’s metropolis.
While appreciating government at all levels for their support so far, he called on the State Government to further assist them to complete the Drug Rehabilitation Centre in the state.
“But I still want to appeal to the State Government to please, gear up, to assist the command; we are making headway in the state, our people are making impact on society and the public is enjoying the sacrifices that the Agency is making to see that the people of Plateau State remain drug-free,” he stated.
“We all know that, if a society is drug-free, then you have also curtailed criminality and crimes. By supporting us, the State Government is also improving its capacity to improve the welfare of the citizens of the State.”
While commending the governor of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Mutfwang, for his assistance so far in the short time, he appealed to the State Government to hasten the completion of the ongoing works on the Drug Rehabilitation Centre that is currently at a comatose stage.
