Imo: Local Government Bans All Hard Drugs, Begins Manhunt For Dealers, Users

By Charles Igbo

In a first of its kind, a Local Government Council in Nigeria has, officially, banned the use of all kinds of Hard Drugs in its area of jurisdiction.

It named five of such Hard Drugs and other illicit drugs, saying they have been proscribed in the Local Government Council.

In a public announcement signed by the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee,  Chief Tony Jude Iwuamadi, Ikeduru Local Government Council warned all those in its area of jurisdiction that beginning immediately, “consumption, smoking and sale of the Drugs are banned.”

The Chairman named the Drugs as:

* Mkpuru Mmiri (Crystal Methamphetamine)

*Stonch

*Indian Hemp

*Guzoro

*Cocaine

He said the LG Council would work  in conjunction the NDLEA, Anti- cult organization and other security agencies to deal with anybody who goes against the proscription order.

The announcement reads, in part, that the above named Drugs “and any other substances/illicit drugs have been proscribed in Ikeduru LGA and environs. Ikeduru LGA Council, in conjunction with NDLEA, Anti-cult and other relevant law enforcement agencies will commence manhunt of all the dealers and consumers within Ikeduru LGA.

“You are, therefore, advised to stay away from any known bunk that deals in the above prohibited items.

“We will not spare anyone once apprehended no matter how highly placed.”

The warning was to all indigenes and non-indigenes living in the Ikeduru Area Council.

Recently, an unprecedented number of youths have been struck down by serious mental ill-health due to the use of Hard Drugs, and especially, in more recent times, the use of Crystal Methamphetamine, popular, in the South-east, as Mkpuru Mmiri

The Leadership of Town Unions in some Communities have, in frustration, over the effect of Mkpuru Mmiri on the youths, resorted to the crude and barbaric action of tying-up, with ropes,  those caught with it, and giving them as many as between 50 and 100 lashes of the cain.

The other day in Imo State, a fatality was recorded while the culprit was undergoing punishment.