Lagos state Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Umar Isah Adoro, has called on stakeholders and the general public, including parents and traditional institutions, to contribute to the fight against illicit drugs in the country.
Adoro noted that the war against drugs is not that of the NDLEA alone but for all Nigerians, stating: “If everybody goes to sleep and says there is an agency that is charged with the responsibility of fighting illicit drugs, then we have all failed.”
The NDLEA helmsman while speaking at a media parley over the weekend enjoined every hand to be on the deck in order to curb the menace of illicit drugs, particularly among youth and women in the country.
Remarking on his stewardship after taking over the command a few weeks ago, Adoro said, “I would like to tell you that, between December 1, 2022 to 31st December, 2022, barely one month after I took over, we arrested 51 suspects – 41 males and 10 females.
“Besides, we were able to take out assorted drugs out of circulation.”
According to him, up to 7, 295.103 kilograms of various drugs were moved from circulation in December 2022 alone. The breakdown of the drugs included cannabis sativa, heroine, tramadol, fenol, codeine syrup among others.
He said, “If we could remove seven tones of drugs and arrest 51 suspects in one month, then I think we should not go to sleep.
“I feel ashamed that, today in Lagos, there are areas tagged as drug free zones, including places like Mushin in Akala, Agege and other areas in the state where people can go and buy, sell, deal with drugs and nothing happens.”
Adoro also expressed displeasure at traffickers of cannabis sativa that shot at NDLEA officials at Awolowo road in the Ikoyi area of Lagos state when the operatives attempted to intercept a truck loaded with the weed.
“The gunshot attracted military men who supported the NDLEA team. That was the point the fake security agents escaped with other suspects. But we were able to recover the trucks and the drugs,” he said.
