The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has urged traditional rulers and community leaders to thoroughly vet individuals seeking to acquire farmlands in rural communities to prevent drug cartels from establishing clandestine laboratories.

Marwa said the appeal became necessary following the recent discovery of industrial-scale clandestine methamphetamine laboratories allegedly operated by a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel in the forests of Ogun and Oyo states.

A statement issued on Saturday by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said Marwa made the call at the 10th Akinale Day celebration and the first coronation anniversary of the Towulade of Owu Akinale, Oba Oluseyi Adediran.

He urged royal fathers and community leaders, particularly in the South-West, to pay close attention to the activities of strangers within their communities and forests.

Marwa said prospective buyers of farmlands in rural areas should be properly screened to prevent criminal elements from exploiting isolated locations for illicit drug production.

“Royal fathers and community leaders in the South-West and the country as a whole must pay attention to activities of strangers in their forests. Also, those seeking to buy farmlands in rural communities must be properly vetted,” he said.

He also called on traditional institutions, parents and community leaders across the country to partner with the NDLEA in tackling substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

According to him, drug abuse cuts across all social classes and communities, making it imperative for parents to monitor their children closely and identify early signs of substance abuse.

Marwa further urged youths to shun illicit drugs, describing substance abuse as a false escape that only worsens personal and societal problems.

He also charged the royal council and community leaders in Owu Akinale to establish community-based advocacy networks aimed at making the town hostile to drug traffickers while supporting persons battling substance dependence.

The NDLEA boss stressed that the agency could not win the war against illicit drugs without the active support of traditional institutions, which he said were better positioned to understand and influence young people at the grassroots.

The event was attended by political leaders, traditional rulers and other dignitaries. (Saturday PUNCH)

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