The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, is seeking the support of Ogun State government in combating drug abuse and drug-related crimes.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd), made the call during an official visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at his Oke Mosan office, Abeokuta, as part of his nationwide appraisal and advocacy visit to state commands of the NDLEA.
Brigadier-General Marwa , who lamented the high prevalence of drug abuse in the southwest region of the country, saying that about 22.4% of the people engaged in drug abuse.
He said that in Ogun State about 17% if the population abuse drugs and other related substances.
The NDLEA boss noted that the Agency is need of lands in the State to build barracks for its personnel.
“With the high prevalence of drug abuse across the country, I want to solicit your Excellency’s support in combating the menace in Ogun state.
“As we all know, drug abuse destroys life, community and it has no respect for age, gender and religion, hence, the need to engage critical stakeholders in the fight to stem the tide of this social malaise”, Marwa stated.
While commending Governor Abiodun for partnering with the agency in combating the menace in the state, he noted that the Agency has finalised plans to build barracks for its operatives to further secure their lives from drug barons and peddlers.
He, however, urged the state government to assist the agency in providing lands for the construction of barracks for the anti drug agency personnel.
“NDLEA is a hazardous place to work for our officials. They arrest drug peddlers and barons; they prosecute them and they will go back to the same community to sleep among these people. This is very dangerous for our officials. We need lands to build barracks for them”, Marwa pointed out.
The NDLEA chairman commended Governor Abiodun for his style of leadership in the state, stressing that this has contributed to his numerous achievements, especially in the areas of infrastructural development, health, education and security.
Responding, Governor Abiodun lauded Marwa for stepping up fight against drug abuse in the country
“The NDLEA has been reborn and is witnessing a new lease of life under your watch” noted Abiodun.
He expressed the readiness of his administration to partner and assist the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in its quest to combat drug abuse in the country.
“We will step up our support to you. We will work more to reduce the percentage of drug consumption in the state, “Abiodun stated.
The governor afterwards presented an operational van and two motorcycles to the Ogun State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, to help its fight against drug abuse, while he also promised to donate lands for the construction of staff quarters in the state.
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