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Marwa flags off construction of NDLEA Area Command office in Benue
Marwa flags off construction of NDLEA Area Command office in Benue
The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa has flagged off the construction of the Igumale Area Command Office of the agency in the Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.
Performing the ceremony on Monday in Igumale, Marwa said the agency’s 2018 report showed that over 15 million Nigerians indulge in the consumption of illicit drugs.
It was gathered that the NDLEA Area Command Office and the rehabilitation of the 20-kilometre Igumale-Ulayi-Ijigban Road were facilitated by Dr Francis Agbo, member representing the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.
Marwa further decried the surge in the distribution and consumption of illicit substances, adding that they have seized over 5,700 tons of cannabis and destroyed over 800 hectares of cannabis plantations in the last two years.
“We have recorded over 15 million users as of 2018 and we have the President’s mandate to bring the surge to an end and that is our task.
“When you don’t have drugs you don’t use them that is the first aspect, the second aspect is to face those who deal in it, bring them to justice and forfeit their assets to serve as a deterrent to others.
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“We are seizing and destroying the cannabis plantations because 70 per cent of drug users use cannabis. We have so far destroyed 800 hectares of cannabis plantations and over 5,700 tons of it has been confiscated in the last two years,” he said.
The Chairman said the agency is also trying to cut off links between the sellers and the buyers which regrettably millions of consumers are already deep into it and are constantly struggling to get it.
He said the agency has in the last two years rehabilitated over 19,000 drug abusers and said the war against drugs and narcotics is on course.
“We are taking every step to clear drugs on our streets, homes, workplaces, forests, markets etc. It is an ongoing process and we are calling on all stakeholders to join the war against drugs and narcotics activities in the country.
“We are here on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the new Area Command Office of NDLEA, Igumale, Ado LGA, every community has its black spot, so I want to warn all those involved in all kinds of illicit drugs and narcotics activities here to desist immediately or face the law.”
Marwa, while also commissioning the 20-kilometre Igumale-Ulayi-Ijigban Road, said President Buhari has carried out numerous infrastructural projects in the last eight years across the country.
He commanded Dr Agbo for his support to the agency while at the National Assembly and for also remembering his people while in office.
