The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is working towards processing and fast-tracking travel arrangements to sponsor a boy, Eromosele Omhonria, on eye treatment in the United States.
The boy allegedly sustained injuries from a stray bullet from some operatives of the NDLEA on July 13, 2023 when broken glasses entered his eyes after his brother, Ivan Omhonria, was shot dead.
Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), disclosed in Asaba when his delegation visited Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He said he was in Delta to condole with the family on the death of the two-year-old lvan 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.
Marwa said winning the war against drug trafficking was imperative because of its negative impact in the society, if left to fester.
He said the 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.
Ivan was on shot dead at his mother’s shop while his younger sibling, Eromonsele, who was also shot, was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba for treatment.
The kids were hit when operatives of the NDLEA raided a notorious drug joint at Okpanam in Oshimili North local government area of the state.
Delta State commandant of the NDLEA, Mr John Tunde, confirmed the incident and the state police commissioner, Wale Abass confirmed the issue.
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