National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) Ogun State Command, has condemned the recent involvement of minors in the using and trafficking of various hard drugs in the community.
The state Commander of Narcotics Ibiba – Odili made this known yesterday at the command headquarters in Abeokuta the state capital during a courtesy visit by National Standard Television, NSTV team led by a famous broadcaster, Mr Dele Ayodo.
The state commander described drug trafficking as a global phenomenal not exclusive of any jurisdiction, race or tribe, recalled that operatives of the command have carried out operations where parents who engaged in drug trafficking and peddling took to their heels and the illicit drugs were found in possession of their wards, who had been integrated into the illicit trade.
She implored the media to nip drug trafficking and its inherent dangers in the bud as a collective responsibility.
The commander said,” We need to collectively harness our resources, share our actions, share intelligence and with that we might be able to address the complexity of the problem. The collaboration and synergy are not negotiable. I know and recognize the roles the media play in all of these. We are having young children of the age seven, ten, twelve abusing drugs for various reasons; break down of social problems, emotional problem, poverty, lack of parental cares. We have cases where the father, mother were into drugs, and they gave it to children to sell for them.
These are children who represent the future of Nigeria. Who represents Hope , who represents promise, their potentials are never going to be harnessed because at a young age they are introduced to crimes.”
In his address, the team leader Mr Dele Ayodo commended the State Commander and operatives of the Command for their courageous efforts and performances towards eradication of drug abuse, trafficking and peddling in the state, saying that the visit was aimed at charting a synergy between NSTV Lagos and the NDLEA Ogun State Command against the illicit drugs trade and its menace in the society.