STAKEHOLDERS BLAME VIOLENT CRIME ON DRUGS
Anti-narcotic stakeholders at Ado-Ekiti the capital of Ekiti State South West Nigeria 
unanimously identified illicit drugs as the major catalyst responsible for violent crimes in the society. This was disclosed at the weekend during the public destruction of 4,242.847 kilogrammes of forfeited drug exhibits mainly cannabis seized by Ekiti State Command. The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade led other dignitaries in condemning illicit drugs which they said accounts for over fifty percent of violent crimes.
According to Giade, the public destruction of drug exhibits is one of the strategies of the Agency in advancing the war on narcotics. “It is a demonstration of the collective resolve of stakeholders against drug barons who are enemies of the society. More than half of arrestees for violent crimes test positive for drug at the time of their arrest. It is therefore difficult to separate drugs from crime”. Other consequences of drugs the NDLEA boss explained include insecurity of lives, political instability, social disintegration and poor image for the country.
The NDLEA Chairman who was represented by the Agency’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services Mr. Femi Oloruntoba further gave reasons why people should not only shun drug trafficking but assist the Agency in the anti-drug campaign. “Security of life and property is threatened, economic growth and progress is distorted, peaceful co-existence at family and societal levels is endangered, our educational system is negatively affected by illicit drug activities. Food security is threatened as land otherwise meant for food cultivation is used for drug cultivation, health and wellbeing of our citizens are jeopardized, discipline in the society is compromised, political stability is threatened, respect in the comity of nations is low, perception at International Community is poor if the drug problem is not addressed”.
Ekiti State Governor, Engineer Segun Oni in his address noted that drug plays a serious role in crime and therefore pledged the States support in the fight against narcotic drugs. “Ekiti State appreciates the magnitude of the drug problem and we are prepared to nip it at the bud than allow it get out of proportion. We shall therefore partner with the NDLEA”. The governor was represented by his special adviser on Millennium Development Goals (MDS) Honourable Bayo Ashana. The Ekiti State Commander of the NDLEA Prince Ben Ikani in his welcome address appealed to the good people of the State to accept the fight against drugs as a way of securing the future of its youths.
Prince Ikani equally recounted the difficulties of locating and destroying cannabis plantations which he said are usually found in mountainous areas of the forest reserves in the State. “It is important to note that the operation of the command is not without challenges. We lack office accommodation. The command is still operating from a rented apartment in a remote area while operational vehicles are also lacking” the commander stated.
Parents were also urged to pay special attention to their children and wards because a youth population hooked on drugs cannot be relied upon as leaders of tomorrow. The head of Drug Abuse Control Committee, Ministry of Health, Ekiti State Pharmacist Bamisaye Israel called on stakeholders to cooperate with NDLEA to address youth involvement in drugs. Children are highly susceptible to drug abuse and must be protected. In the words of the NDLEA boss Ahmadu Giade, “let no parent be deceived that his children are free from the temptation of drug trafficking and abuse. In fact, it must be stated that the parents that are well to do face a bigger challenge of their children been involved in drug trafficking and abuse. We have arrested children of medical doctors, lawyers and other professionals for carrying drugs and many more for being hooked on drugs”.
It will be recalled that the Agency had so far destroyed illicit drugs in seven states of the country since January 2009. The Ekiti event brings the total quantity of drugs publicly burnt by the Agency to 107,536.373 kilogrammes. The States are Lagos 4,432.876 kg, Edo 82,253 kg, Ogun 3,015.11 kg, Nasarawa 4,310.936 kg and Borno 3,314.604 kg. Others are Osun 5,967 kg and Ekiti 4,242.847 kg. Present at the event were heads of security agencies, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Drug Free Club as well as stakeholders from health and information ministry.
