The State Commander of National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency,Ogun State Command, Commander of Narcotics Ibiba - Odili has bemoaned the engagement of minors between the ages of seven, 10 and 12 in drug trafficking, peddling and usage in the state.
CN Odili disclosed this on Thursday, during a courtesy visit of the National Standard Television, NSTV Lagos team to the agency office in Abeokuta, the State capital.
The commander, who described drug trafficking as a global phenomenal not exclusive of any jurisdiction, race or tribe, revealed that operatives of the command have carried out operations where parents who engaged in drug trafficking and peddling ran away and the illicit drugs were found in possession of their wards who had been integrated into the illicit trade.
She implored the media to take the war to nip drug trafficking and its inherent dangers in the bud as a collective responsibility.
" We need to collectively harness our resources, share our actions, share intelligence and with that we might be able to address the complexity of the problem, That collaboration and synergy are not negotiable. I know and recognize the roles the media play in all of these.
"We are having young child of 7,10,12 abusing drugs for various reasons; break down of social problems, emotional problem, poverty, lack of parental cares, cases where the father, mother were into selling of drugs, they gave it to children to sell for them. You can imagine parents giving drugs to children of 13, 14 years old to sell for them, That is where we have been. Now, we are having younger children, not just involving in selling but also involving in in trafficking. These are children who represent the future of Nigeria. Who represents Hope , who represents promise, their potentials are never going to be harnessed because from very young age they are introduced to crimes' she stated.
Earlier in his address, the Chief Operating officer of NSTV Lagos, Dele Ayodo commended the State Commander and operatives of the Command for their courageous efforts and performances towards eradication of drug abuse, trafficking and peddling in the state.
He added that the visit was aimed at charting a synergy between NSTV Lagos and the NDLEA Ogun State Command against the illicit drugs trade and its menace in the society.
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