NDLEA Invites LGA Chairman After He Encouraged Youth To Smoke Indian Hemp

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, or NDLEA, has summoned the chairman of a local government in Niger State who is accused of encouraging young people to use illicit substances.

A group of young people were reportedly told to utilize the local government secretariat’s facilities whenever they wish to smoke Indian hemp, according to a claimed video that reportedly showed the council chairman saying that.

Haruna Kwetishe, the state Commander of the NDLEA, who confirmed the occurrence on Thursday, January 19, 2023, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna that the agency had given an invitation to the chairman.

Kwetishe said, “We have written to the local government council chairman inviting him over a viral video clip trending on social media purportedly made by him advising the youths to use the local government secretariat as a smoking joint for Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Marijuana if they so wish.”

Mr Kwetishe asserted that the agency would not permit anyone to belittle the efforts made by the command to prevent the abuse of illicit substances.

“Therefore, the command wishes to issue a stern warning to the author of the purported video/statement that he should retract it.

“We want him to join hands with the Niger state command of the agency to fight this dangerous trend of drug abuse and illicit trafficking,” he said.

He also stated that illegal drug usage and trafficking would not be accepted in the state, regardless of the standing of the individual involved.

“Anybody who will tread such path will be dealt with according to the law, as they will be arrested and prosecuted at the court,” he added.

The use of Illegal substances among Nigerian youths is a very much overlooked problem in the country.

Crystal meth (Ice), coding, tramadol, cocaine and some others are among the drugs which are being abused.