BY AWELE OGBOGU
Places such as Swiss Spirit Junction, Play Learn Bus Stop, Golden Land Hotel Junction and one or two other hotspots now raise eyebrows when mentioned in the Asaba/Okpanam axis. And the security agencies know why- a set of youths from the Northern part of the country, going by their manner of speaking, have besieged these areas where they canvass for patronage in hard drugs.
Our correspondent provides an eyewitness account of the ugly development, while on alighting from a keke or commercial tricycle, at the weekend, at Play Learn Junction, Okpanam, he noticed an approach by a lad who despite being haggardly clad revealed no discomfiture as he quickly made overtures to the stranger. Prepared and guarded, the journalist was able to extract information that showed that these youths have gained ground under the watch of the security agencies. “When asked if it was not too risky to do business in the open?” He laughed mockingly at the suggestion of being caught. “Are you not a hard man, just do anything you see me doing”, he said.
It was later learnt that at the sight of the police, they disappear into the tunnels/sealed drainages at the roadsides. And when arrested, soon return to their sales points.
The Delta State Police Command claims they have arrested 40 drug dealers at the popular Swiss Spirit Hotel junction in Asaba, Delta State capital. It was gathered that the police, in collaboration with other security stakeholders conducted an operation along the Asaba/Okpanam Road, near the Midwifery market at one time. The operation was initiated following credible intelligence regarding a criminal hideout where illicit drug activities were rampant, causing significant distress and harm to society.
“During the operation, which was executed with precision and diligence, 40 individuals were arrested for their involvement in the illegal drug trade. “The suspects, in a desperate attempt to evade arrest, resorted to fleeing into the storm drainage along the Okpanam Road, the swift and coordinated efforts of the police ensured their apprehension,” a security source told our correspondent.
The source said the operation would serve as a clear message to all that the security apparatus was committed to eradicating the menace of hard drug peddling and other criminal activities in the state
He said the raid would be a strong deterrent to those who believe that engaging in such illegal activities was business as usual adding that government would continue to take decisive actions to ensure the safety and well-being of all Deltans.
Despite the presence of security personnel, drug lords have devised a new tactic—using children to peddle drugs—making it difficult for law enforcement to track their activities, investigations revealed. Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that many children posing as beggars or windscreen cleaners in traffic are being exploited by drug dealers to discreetly transport and sell illicit substances in the area.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that most of these children are of northern origin, with a significant number of suspected Fulani among them. These children, seen begging under the flyover or cleaning vehicles, are reportedly involved in the drug trade, particularly after dark.
One passerby, who gave his name as Sunny, recounted a robbery incident just minutes before the arrival of our correspondent. He said a group of children, including one who had been persistently begging him for money, surrounded him. Four of them pulled out a gun and robbed him of his belongings.
Another witness revealed that drug peddlers cleverly stash their goods in discarded packages by the roadside, disguised as regular trash. These packages contain drugs, cash, Indian hemp, crystal meth (ice), and other illegal substances. The children, under the guise of begging, work with customers who know how to make contact.
Augustine Okoye, a local driver, noted that the number of children, teenagers, and touts sleeping under the flyover is increasing daily. According to him, these individuals not only create a nuisance at night but also attack and rob unsuspecting people.
Okoye called on the government to take swift action, urging security agencies to intensify their efforts to clear out the growing criminal elements under the Koka flyover. He warned that if nothing is done soon, the area could become a haven for criminals.
Little wonder, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, had raised the alarm on the growing incidence of hard drug abuse in the country, saying it had become a global public health that needed to be tackled head on and called on all stakeholders to work towards its prompt effective eradication.
Oborevwori stated this when the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) and his delegation visited him at Government House, Asaba. He commended the NDLEA and other stakeholders for the fight against hard drug abuse but urged that the momentum must be sustained if the nation was to win the war against the growing illicit hard drugs business.
He assured the NDLEA of the State Government’s unwavering commitment and support to the fight against substance abuse and illicit drugs business.
The Governor, said: “I am very touched that you took time to come to Delta State over the incident that happened and also used the opportunity to meet your people here.
“I celebrate your sacrifice, commitment and dedication to duty. You have demonstrated that you are a caring and passionate leader; the kind of leader we need. “It is not a strange thing to us because we know you and we know your antecedents during your time as a Military Administrator of Lagos State.
“Delta State is happy to receive you and we know that, under your leadership, the NDLEA has recorded outstanding successes; bursting drug cartels in the country. I commend you and your personnel of the NDLEA for your resolve to rid the nation of illicit drugs, no matter who is involved. “The momentum must be sustained if we are to win the war against drug abuse. Drug abuse is both a global health and social problem. In Nigeria, it has become a public health menace.
“It needs urgent and proactive actions to be able to handle the trend and I assure you of our unwavering support and partnership in this fight.” He, however, said that, despite the rise in drug abuse, a lot was being done on advocacy and rehabilitation at the designated centers, adding that, in support of the goals of the NDLEA, he had appointed a capable hand as Senior Special Assistant on Illicit Drugs.
He said the unfortunate incident of July in which an innocent child died and another injured in the course of an NDLEA operation in the state would not stop the state government from supporting the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
“The incident that happened, will not stop the state from going after those into illegal hard drugs. Immediately the incident happened, the people who started fuelling the attack on the NDLEA personnel, are those into drugs.
“NDLEA did not just go to that scene to raid; there was an information which was very reliable. We went to the Federal Medical Centre to commiserate with the family and took care of the medical bills.
“We commend the NDLEA for sending a team for an investigation to ascertain what actually happened. I also instructed the Secretary to State Government to give a letter to the family to get American Visa for the treatment of the child abroad.
“On the issue of partnership, we are already partnering. What you are doing in the NDLEA is commendable and Nigerians are happy”, he said.
Earlier, Marwa had appreciated Governor Oborevwori for his commitment and support to the agency and commended him for his work in the state and wished him more successes in the future. He was in Delta to condole with the Fidelis family on the death of the two-year-old Eromonsele who accidentally lost his life during an operation in Asaba and to also speak with stakeholders playing important roles in the fight against drug trafficking in the country. He said the agency was working towards processing and fast tracking travel arrangements to sponsor the surviving brother’s eye treatment in America.
He said winning the war against drug trafficking was imperative because of its negative impact in the society, if left to fester
He said hard drug scourge in Nigeria had become very high with over 15m drug users within the age bracket of 15 and 64 years, according to the relevant agency of the United Nations survey and called for the support and cooperation of the state government in the fight against the scourge.
Marwa traced the rampant kidnapping, terrorism, banditry,insurgency, rape, murder and other vices across the country to hard drug abuse by perpetrators.
He said drug abuse prevalence rate in Delta State among those of 15 and 64 years was 18 percent, with over half a million of the population involved.
Marwa said the agency, in two years, had destroyed nearly over 1,000 hectares of land devoted to the cultivation of illicit drugs, seized over 6,000 tonnes and arrested over 36,000 suspects and persons of interest, while over 6,000 were convicted and jailed.
The highpoint of the visit was the decoration of Governor Oborevwori as Ambassador in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
Now, residents are calling on the police and other security agencies to synergize to flush out these youths and their sponsors and save our youths from easy access to illicit drugs and substances.
