By Raymond Enoch
The Taraba State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has secured a High Court approval to destroy over three tonnes of various exhibits ceased in Taraba State.
State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Jadi Suleiman revealed this at a press conference in Jalingo as part of activities lined up to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking explained that the day is imperative in order to sensitize the general public on dangers illicit drug pose to the society and life of those that use such drug.
Mr. Jadi revealed that the command in its effort to rid Taraba State of illicit drug , it arrested a total number of 109 suspects, secured convictions of twenty two persons attracting various jail terms , confiscated a total of 1,036.006kg of drugs.
He disclosed that the command had embarked on numerous anti-drug abuse awareness campaign and enlightenment programs in public places in line with the vision of the Agency, urged the general public to join in the efforts to combat the menace.
“The agency nationwide in carrying out its onerous civic responsibility of tackling the multifaceted drug challenge which requires multiple approaches, have been witnessing ever growing threat posed by violent mob assault on our operatives either by the miscreants themselves or by the resident communities who are mostly shielding the criminal” he said.
Enumerating some of the achievements they have attained so far, Mr. Jadi however decried the constant attacks officers of the agency face in the discharge of their duties especially when it concerns the arrest and confiscation of illicit drugs, enjoined members of the Communities to support the agency in the fight against illicit drugs adding that its effect on the society is very harmful.
“Taraba state command has continued to take the bravery resilient in the face of pockets of threats, most worrisome was a mob attack on our operatives at Kasuwan-bera, ATC axis on March 8, 2022 after a successful arrest of a watch listed drug kingpin in which nine of our officers sustained varying degrees of injuries”
“Not only that, the command is fiercely faced with the challenges of office and staff accommodation as well as operational logistics”
“Finally, I am making a clarion call on the Taraba State Government, the key stakeholders and other good people of the state to team up with the NDLEA, Taraba State Command to see the drug problem as our collective problem which requires our collective efforts to solve” he appealed.
June 26th every year is emarked by the United Nations to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, aimed at raising awareness on global health problem and multiple challenges caused by drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
This year’s theme is “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises”
The Taraba State command of the NDLEA has lined up a week-long event to commemorate this year’s day which includes a Drug walk across major streets in the State Capital on Saturday, Mosques and Church worship and a grand Finale on Monday the 27th June 2022 at Hope Afresh Foundation Jalingo, Taraba State.