Olubadan Decries Proliferation of Illicit Drugs among Youths

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, yesterday, lamented the proliferation of illicit drugs among the youths.

This was just as he charged the National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to remain up and doing in tackling the problem that is becoming cancerous.

Oba Balogun expressed the worry during the familiarisation visit of the Oyo State Command of the NDLEA, led by its Commander, Olayinka Fadile, to his Alarere, Ibadan residence.

The anti-narcotics agency however also alerted about the rate at which youths abuse drugs, noting that they have graduated from hemp smoking to more dangerous synthetic drugs.

The monarch who was decorated as Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) by Commander Fadile during the visit, in a statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, said the entire traditional council of Ibadan, was worried about the unpleasant situation in the various community compounds in the hinterland of Ibadan, stating that young boys and girls now take pride in drug abuse without let or hindrance, and asked NDLEA to check the situation.

Oba Balogun who spoke through his Bobajiro, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, said,  “you cannot be more worried than me and my members of the traditional council in Ibadanland over the menace of drug abuse among our boys and girls in our community compounds.

“On our part, we won’t relent drumming it into their ears the dangers inherent in the crime. But we want more from your agency, especially through the deployment of your intelligence gathering unit.

“We assure you of our cooperation and collaboration to stem the ugly tide. At the palace level, we are in constant touch with the Mogajis and Baales on the need to monitor their respective areas and ensure that all manners of crime are exposed for proper sanction. We won’t relent.

“Making me ambassador of your advocacy campaign is a welcome responsibility which will permeate the entire traditional system.”

adile, in his remarks, disclosed that he assumed duty in the state Command of the NDLEA a few months ago, stating that the visit was to strengthen the existing relationship between the command and the Palace.

“The task before us is challenging and there is no way we can do it alone without the involvement of our respective communities. When we talk of the communities, we are talking about the community leaders. This is how and why Your Imperial Majesty is involved.

“The agency is worried about the rate at which our youths abuse drugs. They have graduated from hemp smoking to others and more dangerous synthetic drugs,” he added.