The Taraba State Commandant of the National Law Drugs Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), Commandant Jadi Suleiman has stressed the need for sustained collaboration between the Command and the Independent Media Publishers in the state to stem the tide of the disturbing trend of drug abuse and addiction among Nigerian Youths, especially under the present situation where political activities are at its peak.
The Commandant has also called for synergy among the National and State Assemblies, Independent National
electoral Commission and political parties in the country to come up with legislation that will discourage the practice of violence under the influence of Drugs during campaigns and political activities through stipulated sanctions against candidates seeking elective offices.
Speaking when he received in the audience of members of the North East Independent Media Publishers in his office recently, the Commandant said that the nation is now ripe to provide legislation that will mitigate the conduct of politicians and prospective leaders of the Nigerian State during the nation’s electoral processes, emphasizing that a situation where political candidates tolerate and perpetuate violence and the brandishing of weapons by political thugs during campaign activities is not only disturbing but should be stopped through legislation.
He emphasized that the use of Drugs by youths increases during political campaigns, noting that sometimes these Drugs are provided by some politicians during rallies and political gatherings making it increasingly difficult to effect arrests to avoid bloody confrontation.
He intimated to members of the independent Media publishers that because of the significance the Drug Agency attaches to the evolvement of a decent and Drug-free society, the Agency has introduced War Against Drug Abuse to eliminate drug addiction and its menace to the society.
According to him, the Agency has adopted a two-legged approach to curtail the menace of Drugs since the assumption of office by General Marwa using the cut off supply and the cut off demand strategy which has recorded significant progress in the Command’s Drug operations in the state adding that at present the Agency has in its storehouse, a seizure of three tones of assorted drugs from its routine operations and has secured a court order from the Federal High Court to destroy the drugs.
The Commandant argued that the increasing rate of crime in the country is attributable to drug abuse, stating that a pragmatic approach to eradicate the intake of dangerous drugs and Drug abuse from the Nigerian society will no doubt reduce the disturbing rate of crime in the country and called on the Independent Media Publishers and other critical stakeholders to collaborate with the Agency to create a drug-free Nigerian society.
He said the decision to form the Independent Media Publishers Forum is commendable, saying that as veteran Journalists and Gatekeepers in the journalism practice who understand better the rudiments and rules of the game, the journalism profession can be quite appealing and interesting with such professionals manning the gates.
Earlier, the Leader of the team and Publisher of the Global Times News Magazine, Joseph Igba said that the Forum was in the office of the state commandant to seek areas of collaboration with the Command towards the realization of the statutory obligations of the Agency and commended officers and men of the command for their commitment and visible efforts in fighting against drug addiction and abuse in the state.
He further appealed to the Taraba state government to see the Agency as an extension of the state organs under his jurisdiction by providing support and funding because of the functions of the Agency to create a virile, drug-free, and secure society in the state.
The state commandant also decorated the chairman of the Forum, Joseph Igba with a Badge as an Ambassador of War against Drug Abuse (WADA) in the state.
Performing the decoration ceremony within the premises of the Command, the state commandant of the NDLEA….. said that the Award was a mark of recognition of the role and importance of the Forum in fighting drug abuse and addiction and to promote greater friendship between the command and the Forum for better results. He expressed hope that the honor and recognition will motivate the Forum as a critical stakeholder to contribute immensely to the fight against drug addiction and abuse in the state.
PIONEER NEWS 