NDLEA arrests 1,000 suspected drug traffickers in Anambra

In the first half of this year, the Anambra State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehend­ed 1,000 suspected drug traffickers.
NDLEA State Com­mander, Mr Sule Mo­modu, told journalists in Awka, the state capital during the 2017 United Nations Day Against Illicit Drug Abuse and Traffick­ing, that the agency raided more than 100 operations across the state during the period under review.
He added that the com­mand is prosecuting 150 cases at the Federal High Court, Awka and had se­cured 10 convictions.
Momodu reiterated the commitment of the NDLEA in ensuring an il­licit drug-free society.
The NDLEA boss, how­ever, enjoined parents and caregivers to establish channels of communica­tions with their children or wards to identify their problems.
He said: “We keep em­phasising that parents should talk to their chil­dren and if they don’t do, somebody else will do that on their behalf. There must be talking relation­ships between parents and their children. We expect parents to open more channels of communica­tion with their children” he urged.
Speaking on the theme: “Listen First”, the guest speaker and the Assis­tant Director, Training, NDLEA headquarters, Lagos, Barr Abdul Mo­modu noted that listening to children and youth is the first step to help grow healthy and safe.
He, however, identified parents, teachers, health workers and policymakers as key players in the listen­ing first initiative, add­ing that children’s growth through adolescence, make them vulnerable to unhealthy behaviours, in­cluding using drugs, alco­hol and tobacco.
“Around 200,000 people die globally due to illicit drugs every year and that is why we are establish­ing the fact that parents, teachers, policy makers and health workers have a vital role to play in helping children and youths who are the most vulnerable segment of the society stay off drugs.