The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commended the Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, for his leadership in the advocacy against illicit drug trafficking and other societal vices, including human trafficking, which was significantly curtailed following the monarch’s historic proclamation years ago.
The Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), made the assertion during a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler on Wednesday in Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
The former Military Administrator of Lagos State called on traditional institutions and key stakeholders to support the agency in curbing the illicit drug scourge in Nigeria.
He identified drug abuse as one of the three major challenges confronting Nigeria, noting that over 15 million Nigerians abuse drugs—a figure three times higher than the global prevalence average.
”We first of all acknowledge the support your Royal Majesty gave to the curse. And it worked. That proclamation came from here!” said Marwa, who lamented that of the 16 million kilograms of illicit drugs seized by the NDLEA nationwide over the past three years, Cannabis sativa accounts for 75 percent.
Recalling the arrest of 1,200 drug traffickers and the seizure of 30 tonnes of illicit drug substances in Edo State last year, Marwa sought the buy-in of the Benin monarch on the agency’s newly introduced strategic initiatives.
Key among these is an alternative development program that encourages illicit cannabis farmers to transition to legal crop farming.
The pilot scheme was launched in three communities in Ondo State with the support of the Federal Government and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In his response, Oba Ewuare II commended the NDLEA for breaking new ground in its operations nationwide and pledged the continued collaboration of traditional institutions in the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria.
The visit concluded with the formal presentation of an invitation letter to the NDLEA boss for the Oba’s 10th Coronation Anniversary Grand Reception, alongside the presentation of a commemorative plaque by the guest to the Benin monarch.
