Akwanga (Nasarawa state) – The Akwanga Local Government Council in Nasarawa state has donated a vehicle to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle drug abuse and other social vices in the area. Mr Abashiya Koto, the Chairman of the council, presented a 405 Peugeot car to the agency’s Area Commander, Mr Saidu Salihu, on Tuesday in Akwanga. Presenting the car, Koto called for collective efforts among religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to tackle drug abuse and social vices in the country. He said that the donation was imperative considering the increasing rate of drug abuse among Nigerians especially the youths and call for a change of attitude in that direction. “Some Nigerians, especially the youths, are in prisons today because of the intake of hard or illicit drug, armed robbery and other social vices; that is why it has become necessary to educate the youths on the dangers of drug abuse and other social vices in the society.
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“I will continue to initiate peoples oriented projects in this local government in order to improve the standard of living of my people as well as to fight poverty, unemployment and to ensure the security of lives and property,’’ he said. According to him, the primary responsibility of every government is to guarantee the security of lives and properties as well as the welfare of its citizens, hence the reason for the donation. Koto also said that full participation and concerted efforts by all groups would not only ensure reduction in drug abuse but would also contribute in no small measure to the realisation of the goal of drug free society. He advised youths against consumption of hard drugs and engaging in other social vices considering its negative consequences in the society. The chairman urged the NDLEA to use the vehicle for regular patrol in the area and its environs in order to curb the menace of drug abuse in the area for the overall development of the country. On security, he enjoined the people of the area and Nigerians at large to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation. Responding, Salihu thanked the chairman for the donation and pledged to ensure judicious use of the vehicle. The commander appealed to the people of the area to provide useful information on the sales and intake of hard drugs to the agency to combat the menace and make the area and the state at large a drug free society. (NAN)
