National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed over 28,019 tons of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp with several other contraband drugs confiscated from criminal elements across the 23 local government areas of Benue.
The State Commander of the Agency, Florence Ezeonye, made this known when she led the National Chairman and Executive Officer of the Agency, Col Mohammed Mustapha, (rtd) and heads of sister security agencies, stakeholders to the destruction exercise in Makurdi.
Mrs. Ezeonye, expressed happiness at the success the agency has recorded in recent times and called for more collaboration among all stakeholders in areas of tackling contraband or illicit drugs especially in the area of cannabis farming.
She observed that one third of the seized drugs were from farmers, a situation she described as alarming and worrisome urging everyone to watch out in their domain and be part of efforts to put an end to contraband drugs in the society.
The Chairman and executive officer of the agency, Col Mohammed Mustapha, (rtd), lamented that the cultivation of cannabis has increased the rate of deforestation, soil degradation of the forests and physical obstruction of all round development.
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He, therefore, appealed to the people to channel their energies towards agriculture instead of cannabis which is now a cankerworm.
Col Mustapha, (rtd) called for courage to stamp out cannabis and embrace alternative cropping for the benefit of the society just as he commended Governor Samuel Ortom for supporting the state drug committee and the agency.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ortom, who noted that many youths have been destroyed due to intake of banned substances, called on NDLEA to not only apprehend culprits, but to step up advocacy on drug abuse to sensitize the general public.
Represented by his Deputy, Benson Abounu, Ortom expressed the hope that the agency through the federal government would construct rehabilitation centers and facility of state -of-the art to help victims.
The Governor said kidnapping which has become a menace in the society are mostly fuelled by intake of illicit drugs and called all hands on deck to stamp it out.
Present at the destruction exercise were representatives of the Army, Navy, Police, DSS, NSCDC, Immigration, NAPTIP, NYSC and traditional rulers.
