NDLEA cries out over lack of manpower, logistics

The Delta State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr. Dennis Obiefule has lamented the shortage of personnel, equipment and funds to effectively carry out the fight against illicit drugs in Delta State, Our Delta North Correspondent reports.

Speaking during a courtesy / Interactive visit by the Indigenous Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Delta State Council, the Commander said the agency in the entire State has five commands manned by 84 personnel including cleaners with two operational vehicles for the twenty five local government areas of the state. 

This development coupled with none release of funds, he observed has greatly affected their operations in the State and called on government to focus on the fight against illicit drugs holistically to be able to address the issue of social vices and militancy in the country. 

"There is no way you can fight insecurity without addressing the issues of illicit drugs. Delta State is notorious in the cultivation of illicit drugs. It is a major issue in the state and the worst is that the people don't seem to appreciate the dangerous effect of drugs. It is not all about money, think of the future of your generation and that of the nation." Obiefule said. 

Continuing,“Drugs problem is not for an individual alone, it a societal challenge. When you enter a motor park you will notice that we are not save, and we cannot keep quiet. Today, there is hardly a night life because of crime. The few individuals into illicit drugs in Delta is given the state a bad name. For long time Delta State has been notorious and some of the dealers have vowed not to stop."

He said the only way forward is to educate the citizens on the effects of drugs, adding that NDLEA rely on the collaboration of the Indigenes but unfortunately the cartel have instilled fears on the people. 

The Commander revealed that from January to November this year, the agency has arrested no fewer than 200 male and 50 female suspects with 6,844 cannabis of 'Igbo', 2.09 kg of coking, 22.2 gm of heroine were seized while it secured 19 convictions, destroyed 4.2 hectares of cannabis farm, 1.0 hectares of cannabis within the period. 

On the areas of drugs reduction, Obiefule said the State Command has delivered 20 lectures about drugs abuse. 

On some of the strategies the agency has introduced in the country, he noted was the introduction of visa clearance in collaboration with some embassies in the country. He however, urged Nigerians not to stand surety for any person seeking clearance from NDLEA to travel abroad, noting that if an individual is found in illicit drugs both the suspect and the surety will face the law.

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