Boko Haram: 'Cut Off Illicit Drug Distribution Channel To Northeast'

SAN FRANCISCO, June 26, (THEWILL) - An appeal has gone to the Federal Government to cut off illicit drug distribution channel to the Northeast as a way of containing the lingering Boko Haram insurgency.

Borno State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, made the appeal Thursday in Maiduguri, the state capital, while speaking at the UN Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking, saying Boko Haram insurgency thrives on illicit drug usage by the insurgents.

“Undoubtedly, the spate of insurgency and terrorism are also linked to the indiscriminate use of drugs by the insurgents. Efforts must therefore be on deck by all and sundry to bring to a halt the use of illicit drugs by people, especially the youths whom are not aware of what their actions portends in future,” he said.

The Commissioner, who is also the chairman of the state committee on control of illicit drugs, lamented that despite several constraints, the committee in the last one year has been able to record modest achievements within its approved framework.

Lawan warned of the devastating effect of drug abuse on any society, especially in the areas of human, social and economic sectors, saying credible and strong structures must be put in place for rehabilitation of victims.

He said in partnership with the Borno State Command of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other stakeholders in drug administration, the committee is working in close liaison with the military and paramilitary outfits as well as community and religious leaders in the areas of intelligence gathering and operations.

“The committee is pleased to commend the effort of the Commander, NDLEA, Borno State Command, members of this esteemed committee and the heads of security operatives in the state and other stakeholders that have contribution immensely to our successes in the last one year.

'The bravery and exhibition of professional dexterity in the arrest of suspects, raids, and seizure of illicit drugs by security operatives are noteworthy,” he said.

He disclosed that between June 2013 to December 2013, his committee seized over 7,089.575kg of assorted illicit drugs made up of cannabis, psycho and cocaine as well as arrest of over 70 persons in connection with illicit drugs , adding that 13 persons were also charged to court and convicted to various jail terms.

He also disclosed that from January to June 2014, the committee witnessed huge successes through the arrest of 38 suspects and seizure of 4,120.049kg of various illicit drug brought into the state.

He however said that, one suspect has so far been convicted to jail term while 72 drug addicts were also counseled and rehabilitated in the first half of the year.