The Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Romeo Omoike, has declared war against illicit drug dealers and substance abuse in the council area.
Omoike, who had repeatedly expressed concern over the dangers posed by drug abuse during his visits to traditional rulers across the local government, said his administration would no longer tolerate activities capable of undermining the wellbeing of residents, particularly youths.
The chairman , speaking on Saturday when operatives of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), led by the Chief Security Officer , Ismaila Abdul Kowiyu, arrested a suspected drug seller, identified as Miss Gloria Michael, beside Auchi Polytechnic’s second gate, said the suspect reportedly admitted that she was only a seller and did not own the business.
She was alleged to have identified the owner as Mr Gabriel Ahmed , who was said to have fled when the ESSN operatives arrived.
Michael, a graduate of Estate Management at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi and hails from Cross River State was allegedly found in possession of different quantities of substances identified as Canada Loud, Tramadol, Colorado (Colos), Weed, CSP and Karnar.
Questioning the suspect over her involvement in the illicit trade, Omoike said: “Why couldn’t you get a job in one of the real estate firms, but you rather chose to sell hard drugs and destroy lives instead.
Thereby endangering the life of younger generation in the local government.”
The chairman later handed the suspect over to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Auchi Command, at the Local Government Secretariat for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He said the NDLEA remained the appropriate authority to investigate the matter and prosecute the suspect where necessary, stressing that “The law must take its full course once arrest is made.”
Omoike also assured the NDLEA of the council’s willingness to monitor the progress of the case, warning that he would petition the agency if satisfactory action was not taken.