The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has described as worrisome the way security personnel are patronizing the Ihama drug joints in Benin City.
He raised the alarm yesterday in Benin when the state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) visited the assembly during a rally as part of activities commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The rally kicked off from the King’s Square at the popular Ring Road, passed through the Edo House of Assembly, Oba Market, and terminated at the Benin Central Motor Park at Obakhavbaye.
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The speaker, who spoke about the sale of illicit drug at Ihama drug joints, charged the NDLEA to ensure that the area was free of drug peddling.
“If you go to Ihama road, around our legislative quarters, what is happening there is an eyesore. That is the den of drugs in Edo State.
“And let me also let you know that most of the security men also patronise the area to buy.”
He said the state assembly had passed a law against drug abuse which encouraged vices.
“Even as a member of the House, if you are driving, they will be calling to sell the drugs to you.
“After taking the drugs, you will see them sleeping on the floor like dead people. I want to appeal to you, please see how you can help us sanitise that area and others.”
On his part, the NDLEA state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, noted that the war against drugs is not only through enforcement, arrest, seizure, and prosecution but can also be through public enlightenment and campaigns to educate people concerning the ills inherent in drug trafficking and abuse.
He solicited the house’s support in lending a voice to enlightening the people on the need to stay away from drug trafficking and associated crimes capable of derailing them from achieving their dreams.
He assured that the command would sanitize and dislodge the hoodlums trafficking drugs at Ihama road through constant raids.
Also speaking, Andrew Oghenovo, Special Assistant to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Drugs and Illicit Trafficking Control, said the state government was investing heavily in prevention as part of its strategic response to the growing menace of drug abuse.
He said Governor Okpebholo had decided to touch every life in Edo by investing in the prevention of drug abuse.
“He has promised that he’s going to build a rehabilitation centre where anybody affected can seek help.
“They will treat them and teach them work — tailoring, barbering, anything at all, and set them up,” he said.
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