Pubdate: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 Source: Leadership Nigeria (Nigeria) Copyright: 2013 Leadership Newspapers Group Limited Contact: http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4706 Author: Yahya Sarki KEBBI'S NEW STRATEGY FOR FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE Kebbi state has been identified as a drug cartel in recent times as notorious drug barons have found it a haven for their illicit trade. YAHYA SARKI writes on the efforts of the NDLEA and Voluntary Youth Groups to curb the menace. Recently, the 2013 International Day against Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking was held with the theme, "New Psychoactive Substance: Make Health Your 'New High' in Life, not drugs". This day was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 42/112 of 7th December, 1987 in honour of one Lin Zexu who dismantled the opium trade in Guangdong just before the first opium war in China. The purpose of this day which was established in 1987 is to create a society free of illegal drug use and trafficking. The use of illicit drugs and trafficking has continued to pose great health danger to humanity in terms of safety and wellbeing, especially the young people. LEADERSHIP Sunday had the opportunity during the recent celebration of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug to talk with some of the suspects of drug trade and how they carry out their nefarious activities in Kebbi State and the efforts of NDLEA in Kebbi to bring this social menace under control. Kebbi being one of the border states and transit points used by some of the drug barons to cage in Cannabis Sativa popularly called 'Indian Hemp' and Psychotropic substances such as 'Totulin'. The nefarious activities of drug traffickers in Kebbi undermine socio-economic and sustainable development. It is alarming to note that the Kebbi NDLEA Command had within the last six months from arrested 84 suspects including one female and recovered 175.644 kg of Cannabis Sativa and 26.219 kg of Psychotropic substances respectively. Interestingly, 52 suspects have also been successfully prosecuted by court following the effort of NDLEA in the state. This revelation was made by the Kebbi State Commander of NDLEA, Olu Okonkon during this year's day to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking . It is commendable to note that apart from the herculean task by the agency to curtail the activities of criminals involved in the sale and distribution of these illegal substances ,two functional counseling and rehabilitation centres have also been established in Birnin Kebbi and Zuru and already this effort has started yielding positive results. The State Commandant told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the rehabilitation process of the agency has counseled and rehabilitated 55 and 19 clients respectively, 14 clients have been successfully rehabilitated and handed over to their families while 5 clients were currently undergoing rehabilitation process. Investigations revealed that the two rehabilitation centres where drug dependent persons can pursue vocations and facilities for skills development such as computer literacy, barbing and tailoring have been provided. Families with drug dependent persons have started taking advantage of these centres, rather than consigning their drug dependent wards to hopelessness and despair. Some of the suspected drug traffickers narrated to LEADERSHIP Sunday how they were recruited by the drug barons and how they operated through a network. A 50-year old suspect, Alh. Nuhu Garba arrested with 48.5 kg of Cannabis Sativa and 2.25kg of Diazepam with two vehicles confessed, "I am a family man of one wife and eight kids and I come from Jega town. I have been in this business for many years having been employed by the drug barons to sell each bag of Indian hemp at the cost of N25, 000.00 per bag. Although I regretted what I do, but I had to do it to survive with my family since I have no work to do". Another suspect, Abdullahi Aliyu who was arrested with 33.10 kg of Cannabis Sativa said, "I am from Zuru and a driver with one wife and four children. They (drug barons) hired me to transport the commodity to them and they pay me a lot of money depending on the load of the illegal consignment. I believe I ran out of luck that is why I was caught in the act". Kasimu Kurma (another Suspect) arrested with Diazepam weighing 1.3 kg is a deaf man. Kasimu Kurma according to NDLEA was an ex-convict who after his jail term returned to the illegal drug business by using under aged children as proxies or hawkers under his tutelage. Kasimu came from the border village of Tsamiya in Bagudo local government. Abubakar Mumin (also a Suspect; 40 years) from Jega was recruited by the drug barons as a driver. According to him, "They usually give me N5, 000 for just to drop their drug commodity from one point to another, but at times they give more. I don't do it regularly". Similarly, Mustapha Mohammed arrested with Cannabis Sativa weighing 36.35 kg and Sani Yahaya, arrested with Cannabis Sativa weighing 9.8 kg and Diazepam weighing 10.75 kg, declined comments. It is interesting to point here that the community in Shiyar Sarakuna, Nasarawa II, in Birnin Kebbi, has started heeding the call of NDLEA for the involvement of the community to help stem the scourge of illicit drug use and business. Recently, youths in the area organised themselves and launched an operation, captured and handed over some sellers and smokers of Cannabis Sativa in the area to the Police or NDLEA agents. Following the youths intervention in the location of a notorious area called 'Majalisa', the popular hub for illicit drug business which also harboured criminals and miscreants day and night, the area is now relatively witnessing absence of the usual drug business. A visit to the place by LEADERSHIP Sunday correspondent revealed that it is no more drug business as usual as youths keep vigilant eyes in the area and are ever ready to arrest any body found either selling or smoking Indian hemp and psychotropic substances. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt