Hamza Idris
8 February 2008
Damaturu — Operatives of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have paraded before the newsmen, 27 youths, including a lady, for alleged drug offences.
The commandant of the agency in the state, Mr. Akingbade Bamidele Joseph said a total of 349 Kg of Indian hemp was recovered from 12 suspected dealers whose ages range from 18 to 30 while 15 of the suspects are smokers and petty traders of the illicit drug.
Mr. Joseph said the suspects were arrested between January and the first week of this month in various parts of the state, adding that the agency had begun unraveling flash points and hideouts of drug dealers and users.
He identified the Damaturu Sunday Market and some political party secretariats as some of the places where the illicit drug is being traded.
"Indian hemp which is not cultivated in Yobe State is being brought here from Edo, Ondo and Osun States whose weather supports the cultivation of such drugs", the commandant said.
Mr. Joseph who was recently redeployed to Yobe from Lagos State said he was ready to wage war against "any kind of illicit drug abuse". He said the activities of the drug barons contravened the law of Nigeria, adding that punitive measures would be taken against those found guilty".
"We have zero tolerance to drug abuse and trafficking because they are crimes that can destroy the youths and pull back the country", the commandant said.
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