The State Government will join hands with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency-NDLEA to wage aggressive war against drug trafficking and consumption. Governor Peter Obi announced this while presenting five brand new vehicles and a cheque for ten million naira to the Agency at the Governor’s Lodge at the weekend. The vehicles included four pick-up jeeps and an eighteen seater bus.
The Governor said the assistance was to support the Agency to rid the State of all forms of drug business and consumption. He assured that he will personally carry the campaign against hard drugs to all Nigerians in various parts of the world and urged the people to join the battle to save the country from menace of drug addiction.
Responding to criticisms of presenting vehicles to organizations and individuals twilight of his tenure, Obi said he welcome all criticisms that were made in good faith, but reminded those saying this that before him, not even Ministries in the state had vehicles and that he started over 6 years ago to buy vehicles for different groups in the State that serve the people of the State. Using the police for example, he said “check your records till today, we have given the police over 300 vehicles. I have also given to the Army, Navy, Schools, and many others. Those remaning such as prisons will get theirs.” “I am not ready to cross swords with those seeking controversy where none exists.”
Responding, the Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade said the Governor had made history by being the first to give such support to the Agency in the country since it came into existence and had set an example governments at all levels should emulate. He said that despite the lean resources of the State, Gov. Obi still saved a lot of money to do extraordinary things while meeting up his other responsibilities.
Alhaji Giade note that the vehicles and financial support will boost operational capacity of the Agency to carry out its activities efficiently and thanked the Governor for his support.
He explained that all heinous crimes including armed robbery are associated to hard drugs and called for collective efforts to win the war.
The NDLEA boss disclosed that the Agency is sharing intelligence with other countries of the world resulting to many arrests and convictions.
