War on Drugs: OOLG Declares Zero Tolerance for Narcotics

The Obafemi Owode Local Government has taken a decisive step to combat the growing menace of drug abuse and peddling in the Council Area. The Executive Chairman, Amb. Adesina ‘Lanre Ogunsola, FCPA, has charged the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Divisional Police Officers (DPO), and Department of State Services (DSS) to go after drug peddlers across the Council.

According to Amb.Ogunsola, the rising numbers of youths engaging in drug abuse is alarming and poses a significant threat to the future of the Nation. He expressed concern over the high level of decadence, noting that many youths have become uncontrollable in the act of drug abuse and thuggery, which has contributed to unrest in some spots of the Council Area.

The Council Boss urged the NDLEA to immediately move into action, and the Local Government has provided two locations for the take-off of the operation in Mowe and Ibafo, respectively. Ogunsola commended the good work of Divisional Police Officers of Mowe, Owode, Ibafo, Redeemed Camp, and Warewa for maintaining peace across the Council Area.

He also recalled the series of arrests and prosecutions of unscrupulous elements in some perceived red spots, which has brought about relative peace in the towns and villages of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area. Ogunsola further requested Traditional Rulers, Baales, and religious leaders to work with security agencies by providing necessary support in providing information that will help in flushing out the bad eggs, particularly the drug peddlers that reside in the Communities and some that make public schools their hideout in perpetrating evil.

The Executive Chairman emphasized that this call is a National assignment that requires all Security Agencies to work together, as it is a directive from His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON. He assured the Government would support maintaining a society free of drugs and other illicit acts.

Responding to the call, ACN Adebunola Sokoya, Deputy Area Commander, NDLEA, Remo Command, acknowledged the importance of the assignment and assured their command’s readiness in flushing out all the hideouts of the drug peddlers. She promised to work with all stakeholders, noting that narcotics pose a serious threat to lives and existence.

HRH Oba Qasim Alabi Alayande, Olu of Ibafo, thanked the Government for taking decisive decisions to clamp down on the spread of hard drugs amongst youths in the community. He further assured their support and cooperation with NDLEA, Police Force, and other security agencies in achieving a Local Government free of narcotics and other related drug abuses.

The meeting was attended by notable stakeholders, including DSN Bashar Hassan, NDLEA Area Command; CSP Atteh Ajayi, DPO Ibafo Division; CSP Olatujoye Akinwande, DPO Owode-Egba Division; CSP Folake Afeniforo, DPO Mowe Division; Mr. Nurudeen Okunade, DSS Local Government Security Chief; Baales; Head of Local Administration Ms. Olufunke Adeniji; Directors, amongst others.

The Obafemi Owode Local Government’s initiative to combat drug abuse and peddling is a welcome development, and it is expected that the collaboration between security agencies and stakeholders will yield positive results in the fight against this menace.