NDLEA raises alarm over drug scourge in Anambra

Mr Sule Momodu, Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra, said on Friday that the illicit drug situation in the state had become alarming and worrisome.

Momodu raised the alarm in Awka when the agency visited the wife of the state governor, Mrs Ebele Obiano, to seek her support for the command’s war against the use and sale of illegal drugs.

He said that the use and sale of cocaine, heroin, cannabis and other psychotropic substances had become rampant in the state.

He said that Anambra had also topped other states in the federation in illegal drug and other related activities, noting that, out of the 19 Nigerians on death row over trafficking in drugs, 14 of them were from the state.

Momodu said that the command was still on course in disseminating information on dangers of trafficking and consumption of illegal drugs.

He, however, praised Governor Willie Obiano for being the one driving the war on insecurity in the state.

According to him, the governor released N15 million to the command to clean up the illegal Nanka drug factory and manufacture of a harmful drug, methamphetamine.

“As a mother and the governor’s wife you would understand the pains and dangers of drug addiction among children and youths,” Momodu said.

He urged her to take the drug abuse message and the NDLEA publications, including the book “Drug and You”, to the grassroots for easy education of the populace on dangers and effects of illegal drugs.

Mrs Obiano assured the agency of her determination to work with women leaders across the wards and 21 local government areas of the state to discourage the consumption and sale of illegal drugs.

“As the wife of the state governor, I have had the privilege to speak to women leaders and encouraged them to train their children very well and in the way of the lord.

“If the children are well trained, I can assure you that they will not engage in use and sale of illicit drug, but because most mothers are not doing the needful, their children and wards take to illicit drug business.

“We will do a lot to rid the state of illegal drug. I will call a meeting of women Leaders to deliberate on the nagging drug issue,” Obiano said.