By Christopher Philomina
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it will go after peddlers of illicit drugs to sanitise the political process before the general elections in February.
The NDLEA commander in Niger State, Mr Haruna Kwetishe, who made this known on Tuesday in Minna stated that the action is part of measures to ensure that drugs do not determine actions and activities during the 2023 general elections
This, he added, was necessary for peaceful, free and fair elections in the state: “Since the general elections is around the corner, we will go after suspended illicit drug abusers, peddlers and barons in Niger.
“This is to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully which will result in free, fair credible and transparent elections in the state.
“Political thugs use hard drugs to enable them commit electoral violence, therefore, we will not allow drugs to determine the actions and activities during the general elections in the state.”
He therefore warned illicit abusers, peddlers and barons to stay clear of the state as the agency would go tough on them.
“We want to sound a note of warning to all illicit drug users, peddlers and barons in Niger state to desist from the unwholesome practices.
“We want to tell them that we will go after them until we arrest and prosecute them,” the NDLEA commander added.