We need your support to fight illicit drugs in our country, NDLEA boss tells state governors
By Mahmood Olayinka Alaya
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called on the 36 state governors to assist the agency in the provision of operational vehicles to enhance its fight against illicit drugs and substance at the various commands.
Also, the Agency urged state governments to make lands available for the establishment of the agency’s barracks across the country.
The Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd) made the call in Ilorin, Kwara State capital at the public presentation of two books written by the Commander of the NDLEA, Kwara Command, Mohammed Bashir Ibrahim.
Marwa disclosed the plan of the agency to establish offices in all the 774 local government areas in the country as part of measures to tackle the problem of drug abuse at the grassroots level.
While commending the author of the books “Look Before You Leap” and  “Drug Slaves”, Marwa said, “the books will provide the youths with information about how to guard themselves against drugs abuse while those who have fallen victims can be treated and cured.
Speaking through the Director of Internal Affairs and Provost Marshal in the agency, Dr Malami Sokoto, the NDLEA chief executive officer enjoined traditional rulers to join hands with the agency in tackling the menace of drug abuse at the grassroots.
In his keynote address, the Director General, Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Comrade Issa Aremu, advocated stiffer penalty for drug barons in the society.
He said his institute was ready to partner with the NDLEA Â to expand its curriculum to mainstream the campaign against drug abuse even at work place.
The Chairman of the occasion and Zana of Ilorin, Engineer ‘Lanre Sagaya, called on stakeholders to support the agency in its task of ensuring a drug free society.
He lamented that the prevailing cases of kidnapping and banditry in the country are as a result of too many drugs in circulation, lamenting that four out of six youths are involved in drug abuse.
The Guest Speaker and Legal Luminary, Mallam Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali, warned that people would not sleep with their two eyes closed if the menace of drug abuse is not curtailed.
The Chief launcher and the founder of Al- Hikmah University, Alhaji AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, who spoke through Professor Abdullateef Oladimeji, lamented the increasing rate of drug abuse in the country and pledged his support to the NDLEA in the task of eradicating the menace in the society.
The Book Reviewer, Professor AbdulRasheed Adeoye of the Department of the Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, said the two books were written in simple languages that conveyed cultural, political and economic impacts of drug abuse.
Earlier, the Chairman of Vintage Book Presentation Committee, Alhaji Tunde Akanbi, had said the presentation of the books, which were also translated into yoruba language climaxed the intellectual voyage embarked upon by the author to compliment his agency’s efforts in ensuring a drug free society.
The state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who spoke through the Commissioner for Water Resources, Usman Lade, unveiled the books while the founder of Al- Hikmah University, Ilorin, Alhaji AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, launched the books with the highest donation.
END
