N568m Hard Drugs Destroyed In Edo

The battle against drug smugglers is gradually yielding fruit with the seizure and destruction of a large quantity of illegal drugs worth N568 million in Benin, the Edo State capital.

However, the people of Egba Community near Benin protested against the use of their land for the destruction of the narcotics.

According to them, it caused environment hazards to the people and that when such exercise was carried out in their community in the past, several children and adults were hospitalised after they inhaled the smoke from the burning cannabis sativa.

They therefore asked the NDLEA to stop the operation and demanded for compensation over the health problem they had caused some members of the community.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA,on Friday, in Benin, the Edo State capital, destroyed over 80 tonnes of cannabis sativa (India hemp), estimated at over N568 million.

Present at the Idogbo, Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Area site of the drug enforcement agency to witness the destruction of the illegal drugs were the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Edokpayi whonrepresented Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Federal High Court Judge, Adamu Hobon, who granted order for the destruction of the seized exhibits and representatives of the security agencies, including the Army, the Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps and men of the Prison Services.

Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, during the exercise deplored a situation where Edo State had become a major cannabis producing state; where children of school age have become consumers of dangerous drugs.

Giade who was represented by the Director-General of the organization, Mr. Femi Ajayi, however pleaded for concerted effort in the fight against illicit drug.

Giade said, “We have emptied our exhibit room today as we prepare to publicly burn 79, 700 kilogrammes of cannabis. This event is a demonstration of our supremacy over drug traffickers. Drug barons may give everything but certainly not their drugs. They were smart to have hidden this heap of drugs but we were more intelligent in detecting and seizing them.

“The command is working hard to address the problem of illicit drugs in the state. It is disheartening that Edo State that is responsible for bronze casting, wood work, farming and sports is now listed among the major cannabis producing states in the country. Drug trafficking and abuse constitute a serious challenge in the state that must be tackled by all stakeholders.”

The governor in his address called on the drug enforcement agency to do more, saying its efforts have so far not been able to put a stop to widespread availability illicit drugs on our streets.”

The governor further warned the drug smugglers that there shall be no resting place any more for them in the state. “Today drugs are openly sold, distributed and used in the state. I therefore call on the enforcement agents to do more at ridding the state of this illicit trade and usage,” the governor said.
By Yomi Obaditan/ Benin City