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Chairman National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, said no fewer than 15 million Nigerians are using illicit drugs.
Marwa disclosed this on Monday in Port Harcourt during his first familiarisation tour to sister security agencies and stakeholders in Rivers state.
According to him, the country is getting destroyed with the drug scourge.
He said all the criminalities that the country is facing are all being perpetrated by illicit drug users.
“Armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, insurgency, militancy, rape and other social vices are carried out by illicit drug users.
“Nobody in his right senses will partake in any of these nefarious activities. So if we are able to rid our society of illicit drugs, crime rates would have been drastically reduced in the country,” he noted.
The NDLEA chairman also stated that the task of arrest and seizure of these illicit drugs were all geared towards cutting down on its availability to Nigerians.
“Our task also ensures that these illicit substances are not either exported out or imported into our country.
“We must save our children from illicit drugs that’s why we need the support of our religious leaders.
“The Nigerian society is very religious, citizens listen to the religious leaders, that’s why I’m appealing to our religious leaders to please rise up to this occasion.
“Let the massage of war against illicit drugs always form part of your sermon and admonishment to your congregations,” he added.
The chairman also noted that record has shown that huge amount of seizure of illicit drugs have been made across the country’s airports, seaports and territorial boarders of some states in the past weeks upon his assumption in office.
“One of the highest seizures recorded recently was in Edo State where 240 tons of Cannabis, about seven trailer load equivalent of the substance, were confiscated, the perpetrators have also been arrested as the process of prosecution has already began.
“Some of the drug barons that have escaped the agency for over 10 years have been caught, the war against illicit drugs must be won by the NDLEA as soon as possible,” he said.
The relevant stakeholders so far consulted by the NDLEA chairman have in separate responses pledged their readiness to fight the drug menace.
“Heads of security at the Port Harcourt International airport, the Nigerian Ports Authority (Onne Port), Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) were amongst stakeholders who pledged their support.
Others are: the Muslim leaders and members of the road transportation workers union in the state.
Court sentences Osun prince to prison without option of fine over fraudPublished on February 22, 2021By Francis Ezediuno
A federal High Court sitting in Osogbo and presided by Honourable Justice Peter Lifu, has jailed Prince Adekunle Oyinlola without option of fine on three counts of conspiracy between the defendant and three others at large.
He was convicted in a case with Charge Number FHC/OS/42C/2012: FRN v Prince Oyinlola Adekunle and instituted by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Osun State Command
He was charged to court by the NSCDC for defrauding Mr. Solagbade and other unsuspecting members of the public of the sum of N9,820,000 under the false pretence of registering them as patent right holders of Comandclem Nigeria Limited.
According to the charge sheet, the offence is contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The prison terms for the counts are: one-year imprisonment without the option of fine for Count one, two years imprisonment without the option of fine for the second count while one-year imprisonment for the third count and the prison terms are to run concurrently.
The court also ordered the auction of vehicle registration number BDG 575 AG to be supervised by the court and the proceeds of the sale to be paid to the victim.
Reacting to the court judgement, the state Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Abdulkadir Sulu maintained that acts of fraud and scam should be shunned by Nigerians.
He also explained that only righteousness, sincerity and honesty promote a nation.
He advised citizens to be loyal in their relationship, business and any other act that promotes development.
