SECURITY
Otti Advocates Stricter Penalty for Drug Dealers, Users
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has made a case for stricter penalty for drug dealers and users as a way of curbing drug abuse in Nigeria.
Otti made the call when he played host to the new NDLEA Commandant for Abia State, Joseph Owoputi who came on a familiarisation visit to his office.
Otti further called for the crack down on the drug cartel in order to cutoff the chain of supply of the illicit substances.
He argued that since over ninety percent of crime is connected to drug use, upscaling the punishment would go a long way in discouraging youths from going into drugs.
The Governor who used the opportunity to welcome the Commandant to Abia, promised to support the Agency in its fight against drug abuse.
“We just need to crack the drug cartel. So, if you crack the drug cartel, then the crime disappears,” Otti said.
“Unfortunately, the law is a bit lenient on the use of drugs. I didn’t know that until I was in one of the security council meetings. They said that whenever you apprehend somebody using drugs, you counsel and rehabilitate the person. That’s not enough punishment.
“So, we need to, maybe lobby, and get it passed at the National Assembly. So that the law can be tougher because if you are not dealing with the source, you are just wasting time.”
MacDonald Ubah SA to Abia State Governor on Security Matters
Earlier, the Abia State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Joseph Owoputi thanked the Governor for his support to the NDLEA in its fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trade.
Owoputi, while reeling out his scorecard, disclosed that 65 suspects have been arrested by the Command between June and August with about 82 kilo gram of substances seized from them.
GM/CEO, Abia State Homeland Security Board, Col. Chidi Kalu Ukoha (Rtd), and the SSA on Homeland Security, Medical and Fire Emergency, Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba
He added that seven convictions were secured within the period under review, with 12 currently being prosecuted while 38 individuals are undergoing both counselling and rehabilitation in the Command’s facility.
He assured that he would consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor and solicited the assistance of the State government in providing them with operational vehicles for more performance.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander Mcdonald Ubah (Rtd), the GM/CEO, Abia State Homeland Security Board, Col. Chidi Kalu Ukoha (Rtd), the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Medical and Fire Emergency, Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba, among others were present during the visit.
