The National Orientation Agency NOA in Ebonyi State has organised a one-day campaign on implementation of National Security sensitisation and re- orientation program against political thuggery, kidnapping, drug addiction, radicalization and violence extremism.
This was contained in an address presented by the Director General of NOA, Dr Garba Abari, represented by the NOA State Director, Dr Desmond Onwo in Abakaliki the State Capital.
Abari said the devastating effect of drug abuse by teeming Nigerians, especially the youth has become a major source of worry.
He said “in the course of our community mobilization, we have discovered that drug is an enabler and trigger which propels people to go into crimes and criminalities such as political thuggery, banditry, political and religious radicalism, kidnapping, violence extremism, armed robbery, vandalism, rape, gender- based violence and wonton destruction of public assets and critical infrastructure”.
Garba said NOA is determined to curb all these crimes in collaboration with everybody’ s efforts.
The state Commandant of National Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Mrs Lucy Samu, represented by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr Paul Odimba said it is good to fight crime in the society hence it would bounce back to everybody.
The Representative of National Drug Law enforcement Agency in the State, in charge of Narcotics, Mr Onwunna Ibezim blamed the political class for being the brain behind thuggery and all other criminalities in the society.
“These politicians are the people who established thuggery at the same time sustain them for political purpose.
“Some youths are now drug dependants of unproductive class”, Ibezim added.
He called on well-meaning Nigerians to come together and fight the menace.
The representative of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr Obiahu Ngozichukwu appreciated NOA for the program.
One of the participants on behalf of others, said the campaign came at the right time.
Nneka Ukachukwu
