Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has directed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to intensify efforts to identify and destroy illegal drug farms operating in ungoverned areas and forest locations across the state.
Sule gave the directive during a meeting with the newly appointed NDLEA State Commander, CN Saidu Daniel, at the Government House in Lafia.
The governor expressed concern that remote and ungoverned areas were providing opportunities for individuals to establish illegal cannabis plantations beyond regular surveillance.
He consequently urged the agency to sustain its operations and dismantle other plantations to prevent the cultivation and distribution of illicit drugs.
Earlier, Daniel disclosed that the command had discovered and destroyed cannabis farms measuring approximately 1.5 hectares each in Awe and Kokona Local Government Areas.
He explained that the plantations were destroyed before the cannabis could be harvested and introduced into the illegal drug market.
The NDLEA commander also appealed to the state government to support the establishment of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Lafia to improve access to treatment and recovery services.
Responding, Sule pledged the government’s support for the proposed facility and public awareness campaigns targeting young people vulnerable to substance abuse.
The governor asked the agency to submit a detailed proposal for the rehabilitation centre for consideration.
The initiative highlights the need for stronger collaboration between security agencies and state authorities to tackle illicit drug cultivation, trafficking and substance abuse.
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