The new Commander of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara Command, Ambrose Umoru has decried the prevalence of drug abuse in the state.
Speaking in an interview with Pilot Crime on Thursday, he said the state has the highest rate of drug abuse in the North Central part of the country.
Umoru said the state has a record of 13 percent, according to a study conducted by United Nation on drug abuse and crime in Nigeria.
He, however, explained that the rate is high in the Kwara, because it is transit state.
“Kwara is a transit state and is bordered by other States where there are people who deal in illegal drug business.
“The illegal drug dealers in other states move their cannabis to other part of the country. In the process of moving it , local markets have been created while in search of people to buy their product, ” he added.
He noted that the use of codeine and Tramadol is high among youths in Kwara State, stating that the agency is combat ready to tackle the menace headlong.
“Kwara NDLEA is seriously working on it. On my resumption in office I made huge seizure of the illegal drug. We have also made some arrests.
“The state is large and illegal drug dealers have their way of operating to evade arrest. But, we will not relent in our efforts,” he assured.
Umoru, then, solicited support of the state government in the effort at drug control through provision of logistics and enlightenment programmes.
“The command lacks logistics to operate efficiently and this has caused set back in the fight against the scourge in the state. So, we are pleading for support of government and well meaning Kwarans.”
He added that the Command will also take its sensitisation programme on drug abuse to the grassroots, calling for cooperation of traditional rulers and religious leaders towards success of the programme, noting that all hands must be on deck to curb the menace in the state.
