By Akinwale Kasali
The Executive Chairman of the National Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA Gen Mohammed Marwa (rtd) has urged Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano state to oppose the legalisation of cannabis in the country, despite the fact that some state governors have expressed their support for such legislation.
For instance, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has thrown his weight behind legalisation of cannabis.
But the Kano helmsman said he opposed the legalisation of cannabis sativa in the country, in spite of the plan to push for it in the National Assembly.
Ganduje disclosed this when Marwa paid him a courtesy visit, adding that he will ensure that no lawmaker from the state supports such bid in the National Assembly.
Kano has the highest number of lawmakers in the National Assembly.
On his part, the NDLEA boss said the agency is currently working to combat the spread of illicit drugs across the Nigeria, noting that any attempt to legalise the cannabis will be a setback to the war against hard drugs.
According to him “With over 8, 634 arrests; 2,776,000 kilograms of drugs worth over N100billion seized; 1,630 convictions; 3,232 cases in court and over 4,000 drug users counselled and rehabilitated between January and now, we are already making substantial progress in our drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
“We are however convinced that the ongoing attempts by some of our elected officials to legalise cannabis which is being abused by over 10.6million Nigerians will be a draw back for the achievements so far.
“This is why I want to implore Your Excellency and Kano state not to support the attempt to legalise cannabis”, Marwa stated.
He warned landlords to ensure that they don’t accommodate drug traffickers in their houses because NDLEA would not hesitate to seek forfeiture of any property used to store illicit drugs when the offenders are caught.
Marwa commended the governor for making drug test a prerequisite for public officials and those aspiring to public office in the state.
He urged the governor to support NDLEA with 25 hectatres of land to build barracks in the state and a property to be used as the zonal command of the Agency in Kano.
Governor Ganduje said the NDLEA is very key in the war against hard drugs in the country. He also assured Marwa that his government will provide necessary support for the agency, including the provision of a building for its office.
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