FOLLOWING the recent ban on production of cough syrup with codeine, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to extend the ban to tramadol and other controlled drugs to break the link between the demand and supply chain.
Masari Hailing the Federal Government’s decision to ban local production and importation of codeine, Governor Masari spoke at a workshop on the menace of youth restiveness and drug abuse in Daura zone, organised by the state government in collaboration with Peace Builders Security.
Represented by Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, the governor said his administration had taken a number of measures to curb drug abuse among youths in the state. He said: “The state government strongly condemns the activities of drug traffickers in view of their negative consequences of destroying the future of our youths, who are the leaders of tomorrow. I commend the bold and courageous decision of the Federal Government by banning recently the local production and importation of codeine as addictive cough syrup, which is consistently abused.
“I urge the Federal Government to also take urgent steps to extend the ban to tramadol and other controlled drugs with a view to cutting off the link between the demand and supply chain. “On its part, the state government is, therefore, up and doing in bringing about opportunities that will enable our youths to be self-employed and improve on their economic well-being.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of Peace Builders Security Concept, Alhaji Wada Maida, described recent reports on drug abuse and addiction in northern Nigeria as scary and urged state governments to enact laws and establish outfits to complement the work of the NDLEA.
NDLEA arrests 17 in Kwara
In Kwara State, the state command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested 17 suspects with assorted hard drugs in different parts of the state. The state Commander of NDLEA, Mr Ona Ogilegwu, who disclosed this in an interview with Vanguard also urged the Federal Government to fastrack the bill banning production and distribution of affected drugs.
According to him, “13 suspects were arrested at various locations by the Air Force authority in Ilorin and transfered to the command with assorted hard drugs and on Tuesday, two suspects were arrested along Tanke area of Ilorin by his officers.
He added that on Saturday, the command arrested two suspects with 12 cartons of codeine, containing 600 bottles of the product.
Ogilegwu said the two suspects were in the taxi trying to travel to the north with the drug before his men intercepted the car and while checking, the 12 cartons of the codeine were discovered.
Source:Vanguard
