From HASSAN JIRGI Maiduguri
Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum has announced the setting up of a committee tasked with identifying and shutting down drug centres across the state.
He added that structures harbouring illicit drug activities would be demolished and perpetrators arrested and prosecuted.
Zulum disclosed this to journalists yesterday when he paid a visited to Konduga Local Government Area to commiserate with the victims of the recent bomb blast at the fish market, which resulted in trauma, destruction and loss of lives.
The governor also expressed deep sympathy for those injured and displaced by the tragic incident.
He noted that although a state delegation had earlier visited the scene, his presence is essential to demonstrate government’s concern and take decisive steps against the underlying causes of the attack.
“I am here to personally commiserate with you. Though a delegation was sent earlier, I felt it was important to come myself,” the governor said.
Zulum also shifted focus to what he described as the root causes of insecurity in the area. He linked the bombing to illegal activities, especially the sale of illicit drugs such as Indian hemp.
“We had already directed those operating illegally around the blast site to vacate. Unfortunately, our warnings were ignored. People continued selling drugs and committing all sorts of atrocities in the area,” he lamented.
He added that government will not fold its arms while criminals endanger lives. All joints where Indian hemp and other illegal drugs are sold will be dismantled and perpetrators dealt with according to the law,” he said.
He disclosed that the Borno State House of Assembly would, today, review and strengthen the state’s sanitation law.
The revised law will empower law enforcement agencies to arrest offenders without a warrant and ensure its enforcement across the 27 local government areas.
He assured that the new law will be enforced statewide to uproot criminal activities and restore lasting peace in Borno.
Governor Zulum also warned that some of the drug operators previously dislodged from Maiduguri Metropolitan Council have now relocated to rural areas like Konduga, where they continue their activities unchecked.
