Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has urged the National Assembly to enact tougher legislations against drug dealers and offenders, stressing that stiffer penalties are necessary to curb the rising menace of drug abuse in Nigeria.
Governor Otti made the call on Wednesday, when he received the new Abia State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Joseph Owoputi, who paid him a familiarization visit.
The Governor, who linked over 90 per cent of crimes in the country to drug abuse, stressed that cracking down on drug cartels and blocking the supply of illicit substances is key to reducing criminality.
“We just need to crack the drug cartel. So if you crack the drug cartel, then the crime disappears.
“Unfortunately, the law is a bit lenient on the use of drugs. I didn’t know that until one of the security council meetings. They said, when you apprehend somebody using drugs, you counsel him, you rehabilitate him. That’s not enough punishment.
“We need to, maybe get it passed at the National Assembly so that the law can be. Because if you are not dealing with the source, you are just wasting time.
“It is destroying a lot of young people. Some of them are not able to remain in school, for those that are of school age”, the Governor stated.
Governor Otti assured the NDLEA Commandant of his administration’s full support in the fight against drug abuse and announced the approval of two new Hilux vans for the agency.
Earlier, the new Abia State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Joseph Owoputi commended the Governor for his consistent support to the agency, describing him as “a dependable ally and Messiah to NDLEA”
The Commandant disclosed that between June and August, the Command arrested 65 suspects and seized 82 kilogrammes of illicit substances.
He added that seven convictions had been secured within the period, while 12 cases were currently being prosecuted and 38 individuals undergoing counselling and rehabilitation at the command’s facility.
Mr Owoputi pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor and appealed for additional government assistance, particularly operational vehicles to enhance the agency’s performance in the state.
