Obaseki Commends NDLEA over Arrest of 16 Drug-trafficking Suspects,  Drug  Seizures

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commended the state Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for the arrest of 16 suspected drug traffickers and users; seizure of several kilogrammes of narcotics, including cannabis and tramadol.

Obaseki, who spoke at the Command’s headquarters in Benin-city, urged the youths to channel their energies to useful and productive ventures rather than take to drugs, which he said have a negative impact on their lives.

The governor was represented by the state Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Kingsley Uwagbale, as the Command paraded the 16 suspects arrested and seized exhibits during the mop-up exercise held between September 13 and 19.

He said: “This is not a joyous situation as these drug suspects are youths, and it’s painful to see them in such situations. This event is not exciting at all.

“I want to commend the state Command of the NDLEA for these arrests and the success of this operation, which is in tandem with our administration policy to make the state drug-free.

“We encourage the Command to do more because the impact of drugs in society, and country is overwhelming and destructive to the youths and society. Coming into this place and seeing that these drug suspects are youths, I began to wonder how they got themselves involved in such nefarious activities.

“For me, it’s sad, and I am not happy with this development. I urge the youths to flee from drugs as it will not do them any good but destroy their lives.”

According to the governor, “I hope beyond the criminality, we can do a bit more for our youths and hope they do not go this way as drugs are destructive. I encourage you to do more and help clean up the streets as the Edo State Government will give you all the support that you need and ensure you continue to succeed in cleaning the state of drugs.”

Disclosing details of the raid, the Deputy Commander of NDLEA, Edo State Command, Olusegun Ejiko, said the agency paraded 16 drug suspects arrested, alongside some of the seizures during the mop-up raids on some black spots across the various zones of the Command.

He said: “We have carried out raids in black spots across the state as the operation lasted from September 13 to 19.  During the raid, we went to Ihama, Country Home Road, Oba Market, Amagba, Okhabere, and Siluko Road, all across the Benin metropolis.

“Our national mandate is to cut off supply and trafficking of drugs while the state mandate is to mop all drug joints and black spots. Three days ago, a black Toyota Camry car with registration number Lagos KTU 886 EZ was arrested by the Igarra Command of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) loaded with cannabis sativa going for supply.”

The deputy commander continued: “In conjunction with the mandate of Governor Godwin Obaseki to make the state drug and crime-free, the NDLEA is collaborating with the state to mop up and ensure the state is free from crimes. The mop-up will continue in the state as we will focus on black spots across the state.”