Nigeria’s Anti-narcotic Agency, the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency NDLEA has challenged traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to champion the campaign against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in their domains.
The Chief Executive National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa threw the challenge at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Agency’s Area Command office in Igumale, Ado local government area and Otukpo in Benue State North Central Nigeria.
Speaking at the two palaces of Chief Joseph Oche Ikor and Ochi’Idoma of Idoma land, Agabaidu Odogbo Obagaji John, Marwa urged them to see the siting of an NDLEA office in his domain as a call to support ongoing efforts to eliminate access to illicit drugs wreaking havocs in families and communities.
In their responses, the monarchs and other community leaders who spoke at the different ceremonies promised to support NDLEA to succeed in its given task.
They assured Marwa that “they would work with NDLEA to rid their domains of illicit drugs.”
Marwa commissioned a 20-kilometre road facilitated by the member representing Ado-Ogbadigbo-Okpokwu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and who is the Chairman, House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo.
He said, “both developments are signs of the importance of this community and local government to Nigeria’s welfare and also a testament that communities in this corner of the country are not left out of the dividends of democracy by its leaders.”
Marwa commended Mr. Agbo for his passion and commitment to the effort in making Nigeria a drug-free country.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
